Ostensibly, Jefferson believed that political appointment should be ba

Ostensibly, Jefferson believed that political appointment should be based on merit. Why then did he and the Republicans wage an attack on the judiciary that included impeachment of Federalist judges?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
Jefferson and the Republicans were upset at the Federalists’ last ditch efforts to turn the federal judiciary into a Federalist bastion, after the results of the 1800 election were known. To Republicans, this was an act of unadulterated partisanship and contrary to the will of the people. Also, there was resentment against several Federalist judges, who, in their enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts, had demonstrated harsh anti-Republican tendencies.