Blog #2 SCOTUS

SCOTUS

SCOTUS, Supreme Court of the United States: highest federal court, head of the judicial branch of government. 

After being established by the U.S. Constitution in Article Three, the SCOTUS evaluates the constitutionality of laws and the other branches of government exemplifying the concept of checks and balances. By evaluating constitutionality, The SCOTUS serves a large role in maintaining ordered liberty in the United States.

Supreme Court Justices

To be a justice on the Supreme Court, the POTUS nominates individuals who are either confirmed or denied by the U.S. Senate. Over the SCOTUS history, the number of justices has fluctuated from 5-1o justices. Since 1869, 9 justices sit on the Supreme Court including the chief justice, the highest judicial officer in the nation. The role of the chief justice is to preside over the supreme court, setting the agenda for weekly meetings. The chief justice also presides over impeachment trials against the POTUS if necessary.

Supreme Court Cases

The SCOTUS has made lasting impacts on our nation, for better or for worse. In the more recent years, famous SCOTUS cases have revolutionized and fought for civil liberties. For example, Brown v. Board of Education banned school segregation during the civil rights movements and Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationally. However, there have been many cases that have perpetuated lasting negative impacts on our country as well. For example, the SCOTUS in 1857 denied citizenship to African American slaves in Dred Scott v. Sandford. In 1896, state segregation laws were upheld in Plessy v. Ferguson. 

It is no question the power and influence the SCOTUS serves within our federal government, but it is important to note how impactful the Supreme Court holds in building and maintaining ordered liberty in the United States; something that separates us from other countries. I believe the United States has been able to grow and adapt over time largely because of our unique Supreme Court. It it wild to think of the founding fathers who constructed the idea of the SCOTUS within the Constitiution which still functions heavily in our nation today.