How do US Supreme Court justices get appointed? - Peter Paccone | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The process of becoming a US Supreme Court justice involves nomination by the president, approval by the Senate, and formal appointment. Factors like ideology, experience, and personal backgrounds are considered. The job is for life unless resigned, retired, or impeached.

Key Insights

• 👨‍⚖️ The nomination and appointment of a US Supreme Court justice involve the president, Senate, and Judiciary Committee.
• 👨‍⚖️ Justices' leanings can be unpredictable, as exemplified by Earl Warren's liberal decisions despite being nominated by a Republican president.
• 🤩 The Senate Judiciary Committee conducts hearings to evaluate nominees' legal records and positions on key issues.
• 🥳 Approval by the Senate is often reflective of political leanings, and rejections are more likely when the Senate majority is of a different party than the president.
• 🛟 Justices serve for life unless resigned, retired, or removed by impeachment, and none have been impeached so far.
• 🗯️ The role of a Supreme Court justice is to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans, regardless of changes in political power.
• 👨‍⚖️ The responsibility of a US Supreme Court justice is immense, requiring them to be a "paragon of virtue, an intellectual Titan, and an administrative wizard."

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What are the three requirements to become a US Supreme Court justice?

To become a US Supreme Court justice, one needs to be nominated by the president, approved by the Senate, and formally appointed by the president.

Q: Are there any specific qualifications or requirements set in the Constitution for a Supreme Court justice?

No, the Constitution does not specify any qualifications such as age, education, profession, or native-born citizenship for a Supreme Court justice. The president can nominate any individual to serve.

Q: Do presidents usually nominate justices who share their ideological views?

Yes, most presidents nominate individuals who broadly share their ideological view. This means a president with a liberal ideology is more likely to appoint liberals to the court, and vice versa for conservative presidents.

Q: What factors besides ideology are considered during the nomination process?

Factors like experience, personal loyalties, ethnicity, and gender may also come into consideration during the nomination process. Candidates are thoroughly vetted, including their tax records and payments to domestic help.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Becoming a US Supreme Court justice requires nomination by the president, approval by the Senate, and formal appointment.

• Presidents usually nominate individuals who share their ideological views, but a justice's leanings can be unpredictable.

• The Senate Judiciary Committee thoroughly vets the nominee and holds hearings before voting to send the nomination to the full Senate.

• Upon approval, the president issues a written appointment, and the nominee takes the constitutional and judicial oaths.