The adoption of articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase by the United States House of Representatives marked a significant event in the early years of the American judiciary. Chase, a prominent Federalist appointed by President George Washington in 1796, had become a controversial figure due to his perceived partisanship in court rulings. His judicial decisions often appeared to align with Federalist ideals, which fueled growing frustrations among the Democratic-Republicans, who were keen to assert their political dominance following the election victories of Thomas Jefferson and his party.

The charges against Chase focused on his alleged misconduct while serving in the federal judiciary, including judicial bias and inflammatory comments made during trials. The House's decision to proceed with the impeachment was part of a broader strategy to challenge the judiciary's power and the influence of Federalists within it. The move was unprecedented, as this was the first time a Supreme Court justice was impeached, setting a critical precedent for the relationship between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

The impeachment process culminated in a trial in the Senate, where Chase was ultimately acquitted, demonstrating the difficulties of removing a sitting justice. This event highlighted the tensions between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans during this formative period of American governance and tested the boundaries of judicial independence and accountability in the developing democracy.