Judge, U.S. Supreme Court

Federal

CORE PURPOSE:

Establish Justice

Quick Facts

Holder(s):

John G. Roberts Jr. (Chief), Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ketanji Brown Jackson

Term:

Life

Method:

Appointed

Level:

Federal

Oath Administered By:

Chief Justice or Associate Justice

Role Overview

Interprets the U.S. Constitution, hears appeals on federal laws, and sets legal precedents for the nation.

Constitutional Mandate:

Upholds federal justice (U.S. Const. Art. III).

Key Competencies:

Judicial expertise, impartiality, and legal knowledge.

Potential Weaknesses:

• Partisan Bias or Perceived Lack of Independence: Decisions influenced by political views can erode legitimacy, with public approval near historic lows (around 40-50%) and criticism for favoring corporate or executive power.
• Ethical Lapses or Abuse of Power: Self-regulation on recusal leads to conflicts of interest, risking scandals and public distrust in the rule of law.
• Lack of Accountability: Lifetime tenure can foster overreach, such as rolling back precedents on rights, amplifying risks to democratic norms and judicial credibility.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as Justice under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.