In short, yes. His behavior in several trials as a circuit justice demonstrate not only his well known abrasiveness and aggressiveness, but also a clear Federalist predilection. These were the basis of his charges of impeachment. He also actively campaigned for Adams in 1800 and used his influence to try and persuade members of Congress to vote for him. He publicly railed against the repeal of the Judiciary Act, which provided the impetus for the Republican attempt to have him removed.

To be sure, Chase was the target of a Republican effort to curb the growing power of the judiciary. Partisanship on the part of judges did not yet have quite the air of impropriety that it carries today. Much of the practice of stark refusal to comment on political matters by judges and justices stems from the impeachment of Chase.