You’ve probably seen the headlines. One week the Supreme Court is a "conservative powerhouse," and the next, everyone is debating the nuances of a "swing vote" that barely exists anymore. It’s a lot to keep track of. Honestly, if you can’t remember exactly which justice was appointed by which president, you aren't alone. The lineup has shifted more in the last few years than it did in the previous decade.
Basically, there are nine of them. One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. They sit in order of seniority, they have lifetime appointments, and right now, they are arguably the most influential group of people in the country. Let’s look at exactly who is on the US Supreme Court right now and what makes each of them tick.
The Big Six: The Conservative Majority
It’s no secret that the Court has a 6-3 conservative supermajority. This didn't happen by accident. It was the result of a very specific, very intense window of time during the Trump administration where three seats opened up in four years.
Chief Justice John Roberts
John Roberts is the man in the middle. Well, sort of. Appointed by George W. Bush in 2005, he’s the Chief, which means he’s the formal head of the federal judiciary. He’s often viewed as an institutionalist. He cares deeply about how the public sees the Court. You’ll sometimes see him siding with the liberal wing on procedural issues to avoid "shaking the boat" too much, but on the big stuff—like voting rights or regulation—he’s still very much a conservative.
Justice Clarence Thomas
The longest-serving member currently on the bench. Thomas was nominated by George H.W. Bush back in 1991. If you ever watch a session, you might notice he doesn't ask many questions. He went ten years without saying a word during oral arguments at one point! He is a staunch originalist, meaning he believes the Constitution should be interpreted exactly as the people who wrote it intended at the time.
🔗 Read more: Catch This Fascist Meaning: Why That Viral Political Slang Is All Over Your Feed
Justice Samuel Alito
Nominated by George W. Bush in 2006, Alito is often considered the most consistently conservative voice. He’s known for his sharp, sometimes prickly dissents and his focus on religious liberty. If there’s a major case involving social issues, you can usually bet Alito is writing the most "traditionalist" take on it.
The Trump Trio: Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett
This is where the Court’s math really changed.
- Neil Gorsuch (2017): He’s a Westerner through and through, coming from Colorado. He has a unique "textualist" streak that occasionally leads him to side with liberals on things like Native American sovereignty or certain criminal rights.
- Brett Kavanaugh (2018): He replaced Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh often tries to frame his opinions as "middle of the road" within the conservative block, though his voting record is very much in line with the majority.
- Amy Coney Barrett (2020): The newest conservative addition. She replaced the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which was a massive ideological shift for that specific seat. She’s a former law professor and, like Thomas, a devoted originalist.
The Three: The Liberal Minority
The liberal wing is currently smaller than it has been in decades. They spend a lot of their time writing dissents—those long, sometimes frustrated-sounding "here’s why the majority is wrong" essays that don't change the law today but might influence it forty years from now.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
The first Hispanic justice, appointed by Barack Obama in 2009. She’s often called "The People's Justice." Sotomayor focuses heavily on the real-world impact of the law, particularly on marginalized communities. Her questions during oral arguments are usually fast-paced and very focused on the facts of the case.
Justice Elena Kagan
Also an Obama appointee (2010). Before the Court, she was the Solicitor General and the Dean of Harvard Law. Kagan is widely considered the best writer on the bench. She uses pop culture references and plain English to make her points. She’s also a master of trying to build bridges with the conservative justices to find narrow areas of agreement.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
The newest member of the whole group. She joined in 2022 after being nominated by Joe Biden. As the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, she’s brought a fresh perspective, particularly as a former public defender. She is incredibly active during oral arguments; she often speaks more than any other justice, digging into the "original intent" of the 14th Amendment and civil rights laws.
How the Court Actually Works (Simply)
Most people think the Court just picks whatever case it wants. Sorta, but not really. They get about 7,000 to 8,000 "cert" petitions every year. They only take about 60 to 70.
To take a case, four of the nine justices have to agree to hear it. This is called the "Rule of Four." If they don't take it, the lower court's decision stands. It’s not necessarily an "endorsement" of the lower court, but it's the end of the road for that legal battle.
The "term" starts on the first Monday in October. They hear arguments through the winter and spring, and then—like a student cramming for finals—they release all the massive, life-changing decisions in June.
Why the Lineup Matters Right Now
In 2026, the Court's balance remains 6-3. This has massive implications for how cases are decided. For decades, Justice Kennedy or Chief Justice Roberts acted as a "swing vote." Today, there really isn't one. The conservative majority is so large that even if Roberts or Gorsuch flips to the liberal side, the conservatives still have five votes to win.
This has led to a major era of "precedent overturning." We saw it with Roe v. Wade, and we are seeing it with administrative law (the "Chevron" doctrine).
Actionable Insights: How to Follow the Court
If you want to stay informed about who is on the US Supreme Court and what they are doing, don't just wait for the evening news.
- Listen to Oral Arguments: You can stream them live on the Supreme Court website. It’s the best way to hear how the justices think before they write their final opinions.
- Use SCOTUSblog: This is the gold standard for non-partisan legal analysis. They break down complex cases into English that actually makes sense.
- Check the "Shadow Docket": Keep an eye on emergency orders. Sometimes the Court makes huge decisions on things like immigration or executions through short, unsigned orders late at night, rather than through the big, fancy June rulings.
- Look for Concurrences: When a justice agrees with the "win" but for different reasons, they write a concurrence. These are often clues about where the Court might go in the future.
The makeup of the Court is stable for now, but in a world of lifetime appointments, every single seat is a potential turning point for American law. Understanding who holds those seats is the first step in understanding the country's direction.