What controversial initiative proposed by FDR aimed to increase the number of Supreme Court justices?

The initiative proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to increase the number of Supreme Court justices is commonly known as the Court Packing Scheme. This plan arose during FDR's second term, particularly after the Supreme Court struck down several key pieces of his New Deal legislation. Frustrated by what he perceived as a conservative court blocking his efforts to combat the Great Depression, Roosevelt proposed to add more justices to the Supreme Court, which would allow him to appoint justices who were more in line with his policy goals.

The term "court packing" became widely used in the media and public discourse, conveying the sense that Roosevelt was attempting to manipulate the judicial branch to align with his executive agenda. While this initiative was rooted in a desire to ensure the effectiveness of the New Deal, it faced significant backlash, both politically and from the public, and ultimately did not pass.

This action encapsulated the tension between the executive and judicial branches of government, as well as debates about the separation of powers. The public perception of the Court Packing Scheme was largely negative, as many viewed it as an overreach of presidential power.