How can the judicial branch exert its authority in the federal government? How has the judicial branch exerted its authority in the past?

1) Simply, the judicial branch determines whether the Constitution allows certain laws to be passed. If the Supreme Court decides that a law passed by Congress is not allowable, then the law is considered unconstitutional and is erased. This gives the Supreme Court a tremendous amount of power.

2) The Judiciary Act of 1789 set the number of Supreme Court justices at six. Between then and 1869, Congress raised the number five times and lowered it twice. The increases generally happened as the country grew and Congress created new circuit courts and district courts.

Explanation:

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facts: the 14th amendment

the 14th amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws.

the 14th amendment was intended to protect the rights of former slaves after the american civil war.

the 14th amendment was approved by congress in june of 1866 and ratified by the states on july 9, 1868.

the 14th amendment establishes that all persons born in the united states are citizens and are guaranteed all the rights of citizenship.

the 14th amendment establishes that the law protects all citizens equally.

in this case the passage of the 14th amendment   that was violated was the last part in which it states that there is equal protection of the law.