What were the judges appointed by President John Adams referred to Why were they known by this name?

The judges appointed by President John Adams were referred to as the "Midnight Judges." This name originated because Adams signed their commissions late on the night of his last day in office, just before Thomas Jefferson took over the presidency. The appointments were part of a strategy to maintain Federalist influence in the judiciary, even as the Democratic-Republicans gained control of the executive and legislative branches.