How many justices are on the Supreme Court and who are they?

The Supreme Court has played a big role in recent controversial legal issues, such as the right to abortion, immigration, and gun laws. As the court often gives the final ruling on these subjects, the body’s composition is a matter of importance.

The court consists of nine justices, a number set by Congress which has remained unchanged since 1869. Each justice serves a lifetime appointment, unless they resign, retire, or are impeached and removed from office.

Who are the United States Supreme Court justices?

Republican presidents appointed six of the nine justices, three of them installed by Donald Trump. Democrats designated the remaining three justices.

John G. Roberts Jr. was nominated by President George W. Bush as Chief Justice and has been on the court since 2005. The conservative justice was confirmed when he was only 50 years old, which made him the third-youngest Chief Justice in US history.

Justice Clarence Thomas was nominated by President George Bush in 1991. He succeeded Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice on the high court. He is thought to be one of the more influential and controversial justices on the court, often garnering attention for his conservative viewpoints.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. was also nominated by President George W. Bush, taking his seat on January 31, 2006. He is widely regarded as a conservative justice who often emphasizes the importance of the text and history of legal documents in his opinions and dissents.

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor was nominated by President Barack Obama and took her seat in 2009. She is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Regarded as one of the more liberal justices on the tribunal, she is known for her strong advocacy for the rights of minorities and marginalized communities.

Justice Elena Kagan was also nominated by President Barack Obama and took her seat in 2010. She is considered one of the more moderate justices on the Court, often seeking consensus and compromise in her opinions.

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch was nominated by President Donald Trump and took his seat in 2017. He is known for his eloquent writing style and commitment to legal principles.

Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh was also appointed by President Donald Trump and took his seat in 2018. Considered one of the more conservative justices on the court, he has been recognized for his rigorous analytical approach and attention to legal detail.

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Amy Coney Barrett was the third justice nominated by President Donald Trump. She took her seat in 2020, succeeding Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She often emphasizes the importance of adhering closely to the text and original meaning of legal documents in her opinions and dissents.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the latest addition to the high court, nominated by President Joe Biden in 2022. She is the first black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. She had a long track record as a criminal defense attorney before serving on the court.

With this composition, the tribunal has been considered the most conservative Supreme Court in recent US history.