In the annals of American political history, few figures have been as influential as Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). His presidency was marked by monumental reforms and bold decisions, one of which sparked considerable debate: the proposal to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court. This controversial move, often referred to as “court-packing,” led to many nicknames and puns that illustrate the wit and humor of the political landscape at the time. Here’s a list of very hilarious nicknames that capture the essence of FDR’s infamous plan to expand the Supreme Court justices.
- The Judiciary Jamboree: A playful phrase that encapsulates FDR’s idea of turning the Supreme Court into a party of justices, as if he was inviting everyone to a big, legislative festival.
- Roosevelt’s Righteous Resizers: This nickname humorously denotes how the President planned to ‘resize’ the Court to better reflect his New Deal ideals, as if he was adjusting the size of his favorite suit.
- FDR’s Friendly Fortification: A term suggesting Roosevelt wasn’t just increasing numbers but creating a fortified front of justices who would wholly support his agenda.
- The Supreme Team Expansion Team: Mimicking a sports reference, this nickname plays on the idea of adding new players to strengthen the team, only this team is one of judicial decision-makers.
- Justices in a Jam: This light-hearted moniker suggests that the existing justices would be in a bit of a pickle as they would be outnumbered by FDR’s new appointees.
- The Court of Excess: This catchy phrase not only critiques FDR’s plan but also humorously implies that there may be too much of a good thing when it comes to justices.
- FDR’s Fantastic Judge Inflate: A cheeky nod to how Roosevelt planned to inflate the number of judges as if he were at a carnival inflating balloons for a fun ride.
- Nine is Fine, but Twenty is Plenty: This funny twist on the classic saying pokes fun at the idea of having more justices than one could ever need.
- The Justicial Juggernaut: A nickname that suggests Roosevelt’s plan was an unstoppable force, like a rolling juggernaut set to shape the future of the judiciary.
- FDR’s Farm Team: A term taken from sports, suggesting that the new justices were a farm team for the Supreme Court, akin to minor league players ready to take their shot in the big leagues.
- The Court-Packing Clown Car: This nickname humorously compares FDR’s plan to a clown car, where it seems improbable that so many justices could fit into one Court.
- Judicial Jigsaw Puzzles: A cheeky nod that implies FDR was attempting to fit pieces together in a way that made his vision of an all-supportive Court a reality.
- Packer’s Delight: A whimsical play on “Baker’s Delight,” suggesting Roosevelt was indulging in his own version of sweet political tactics to expand the judiciary.
- The Justice League of America: A pop culture-savvy jab that reimagines the Supreme Court fortified with heroic justices, each ready to champion FDR’s New Deal policies.
- Roosevelt’s Recreational Court: A cheeky nickname implying that FDR sought to make the Supreme Court more about fun and political gamesmanship rather than serious jurisprudence.
FDR’s attempt to reshape the Supreme Court with these memorable nicknames reveals not just the wit of the era but the depth of public sentiment surrounding his presidency. These humorous takes shed light on both the controversy and the cleverness that accompanied such significant political maneuvers. While the ‘court-packing’ proposal may have faced considerable opposition and ultimately failed, the laughter and levity it inspired continue to resonate in the collective memory of American political humor.