Blog post #2: SCOTUS

The Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court is the highest federal court in the United States of America and was established in 1789 when article 3 of the constitution was made. In the constitution, stated that Congress could decide the organization of the Supreme Court, acting as a form of checks and balances. The Judiciary Act of 1789 was then passed by the legislative branch that stated 6 justices would serve on the Supreme court until they died or retired. The number of these justices have fluctuated over time but has sat at 9 seats since 1869. The Supreme court justices are nominated by the President of the United States and the Senate either confirms or denies these nominations (acting as another form of checks and balances). WIthin those justices, however, there is a chief justice who is responsible for leading the supreme court and setting the agenda for the upcoming week. Additionally, the Cheif judge presides over the trails of impeachment, if that were to occur. Over the years, there have been 113 Supreme Court Justices and currently, the 9 Justices who serve on the Supreme Court are John Roberts (Chief Justice), Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. The Supreme Court has tried many important cases, many of which have long-lasting impacts on the nation as a whole. Some of the very important cases that decided precedents that still hold true today are Mapp v. Ohio, Roe v. Wade, Lawrence V. Texas, and Obergefell v. Hodges. Overall, The Supreme court continues to not only be the highest court but tries the most impactful and lasting cases in the country that continue to set precedents to help many others.