William Howard Taft (1857–1930) served as the 27th President of the United States from 1909 to 1913. A Republican jurist and administrator, he later became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the only person to hold both offices.
As president, Taft pursued a conservative, law‑based approach to reform: he vigorously enforced antitrust laws, supported federal conservation and the Bureau of Mines, and signed the controversial Payne‑Aldrich Tariff, which deepened splits with progressive Republicans.
After leaving the White House, Taft returned to public service as Chief Justice of the United States (1921–1930). His nine years on the Court cemented his reputation as a dedicated jurist and made him unique in American history for holding the nation’s two highest offices.
Enforced antitrust laws with numerous trust prosecutions, including actions against Standard Oil and U.S. Steel; Signed the Payne‑Aldrich Tariff, provoking a split with progressives; Established the U.S. Children's Bureau (1912); Created the Bureau of Mines and promoted federal conservation administration; Later served as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
Showing 12 of 41 entries.
President Taft nominated Associate Justice Edward Douglass White to be Chief Justice of the United States, and the Senate confirmed White on December 12, 1910.
President Taft delivered his second annual (State of the Union) message to Congress, outlining the administration's legislative priorities.
In the November 8, 1910 midterm elections, Democrats captured control of the U.S. House of Representatives and made significant gains in the Senate, eroding the Republican congressional majorities that had supported Taft.
President William Howard Taft signed the White-Slave Traffic Act (commonly known as the Mann Act), federalizing penalties for transporting women across state lines for 'immoral purposes.'
President Taft signed legislation creating a federal Postal Savings System to receive small deposits at post offices.
President Taft signed the MannElkins Act, which strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission and extended federal regulatory authority to telephone and telegraph companies.
President Taft signed the Mann–Elkins Act, expanding the Interstate Commerce Commission's authority over railroads and extending regulation to telephone and telegraph companies while creating the Commerce Court.
President Taft nominated New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Senate confirmed President Taft's nominee Horace H. Lurton to serve as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
President William Howard Taft signed the act of Congress establishing the United States Bureau of Mines on May 16, 1910.
President Taft removed Gifford Pinchot from his post as Chief of the U.S. Forest Service after Pinchot publicly attacked Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger over alleged improper handling of public lands.
President William H. Taft delivered his first annual message to Congress outlining priorities including tariff revision, enforcement of antitrust laws, and conservation of public lands.