The Supreme Court: A Short Reflection

The Supreme Court of the United States, also known as SCOTUS, is a fascinating topic to me, given its long history and impact on the country in general. According to United States Courts, the court was founded after Congress' establishment of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created said Supreme Court with six justices at the time. This means that the group has existed for over 234 years. Due to various laws, or Acts of Congress, the number of seats has ranged from five to ten. Eventually, the number was set to nine after the Civil War. 

From left to right, the court currently consists of Sonia Sotomayor. Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan. The Chief Justice in particular is the highest rank in terms of the Supreme Court, having a role of leadership among the group, hence its general importance. 

One thing I was not aware of was the fact that former Associate Justice Stephen Breyer had retired until researching this topic, as Brown Jackson appears to have taken his place. According to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, she was a nominee for the title of the 116th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, in addition to being the first black woman to achieve the opportunity to become part of such a group.

A surprising fact I learned about the Supreme Court as a whole is that former U.S. president William Howard Taft also served as a member of said court. Taft served as president of the United States from 1909 to 1913, and was the 10th chief justice from 1921 to February 3rd, 1930, resigning as a result of heart disease one month before his death on March 8th, 1930. As of October 2023, he is the only president and/or chief justice to have held both positions, whether it be simultaneously or separately. 

Overall, the main takeaway point of the Supreme Court is that it is set in place to provide "equal justice under law," as stated on its website. The court is also meant to be the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution as a result. Given its history and overall impact, in addition to being the only court to have such longevity and authority simultaneously, the Supreme Court has been an important and notable part of the government of the United States for centuries.