Supreme Court Justices Ages

The Ages and Political Leanings of the US Supreme Court Justices

Age Disparity

The US Supreme Court justices exhibit a significant age difference. The youngest justice, Amy Coney Barrett, is 50 years old, while the oldest justice, Clarence Thomas, is 74 years old. This 24-year age gap has implications for the court's future composition and decision-making.

Political Leanings

The justices are also divided along political lines. Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Samuel Alito are considered conservative, while Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson are considered liberal. Chief Justice John Roberts has been described as a moderate conservative.

Length of Service

As of April 2024, the length of service for the justices ranges from Thomas's 32 years to Jackson's less than a year. This disparity in experience can influence the court's dynamics and the weight given to each justice's opinions.

Clarence Thomas

Clarence Thomas, appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, has served on the court for over three decades. He is known for his conservative views and his adherence to originalism, a method of constitutional interpretation that seeks to apply the Constitution's original meaning.

John Roberts

John Roberts, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2005, serves as Chief Justice of the United States. He is generally considered a moderate conservative, and his role as chief justice has often required him to balance the court's ideological divide.

Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009, is the first Latina justice on the court. She is known for her liberal views and her attention to the experiences of marginalized communities.

Elena Kagan

Elena Kagan, appointed by President Obama in 2010, previously served as Solicitor General of the United States. She is considered a liberal justice, and her legal scholarship has focused on areas such as administrative law and constitutional law.

Neil Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017, is a conservative justice who has drawn attention for his religious beliefs and his strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Brett Kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh, also appointed by President Trump in 2018, is a conservative justice who has faced controversy over allegations of sexual misconduct. He is known for his strong support of executive power and his narrow view of the Fourth Amendment.

Amy Coney Barrett

Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by President Trump in 2020, is the youngest justice on the court. She is considered a conservative and is known for her opposition to abortion rights and her support for religious liberty.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed by President Biden in 2022, is the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She is considered a liberal justice and is known for her experience as a public defender and her commitment to equal justice.