Who did Obama appoint to the Supreme Court?
Asked by: Dr. Elisabeth Hessel | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (13 votes)
On May 10, 2010, Obama nominated Elena Kagan, the Solicitor General of the United States, to replace retiring Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. Solicitor General Elena Kagan was confirmed by the Senate by a 63–37 vote.
Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?
While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts.
Why didn't Obama get to nominate a Supreme Court judge?
With the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016 in the beginning of a presidential election year, the Republican majority in the Senate made it their stated policy to refuse to consider any nominee to the Supreme Court, arguing that the next president should be the one to appoint Scalia's replacement.
Who did Trump appoint to the Supreme Court in 2020?
Following the death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020, Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett as her replacement on September 26, 2020. Exactly a month later on October 26, 2020, Barrett was confirmed by a vote of 52–48.
When did the Supreme Court go from 6 to 9?
The Supreme Court went from six justices to nine in 1869, with the passage of the Circuit Judges Act (also called the Judiciary Act of 1869). This legislation increased the number from seven (after Congress had previously reduced it from ten) to its current size, settling it at one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, a number that has remained stable since.
Which Supreme Court justices did Obama appoint?
Who appointed John Roberts?
John G. Roberts was appointed as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States by President George W. Bush, who nominated him in September 2005 following the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, and he assumed office on September 29, 2005.
How many Supreme Court judges was appointed by Donald Trump?
As of January 8, 2026 the United States Senate has confirmed 261 Article III judges nominated by Trump: three associate justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 60 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 195 judges for the United States district courts, and three judges for the United States Court of ...
Why did Obamacare go to the Supreme Court?
Since becoming law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) has generated numerous lawsuits and sparked national debate over the future of American healthcare. After the federal courts reached conflicting decisions regarding the ACA's constitutionality, the Supreme Court decided to hear the case.
How much do justices get paid?
Justice salaries vary significantly by court level (federal/state/local) and jurisdiction, with U.S. Supreme Court justices earning over $300k (Chief Justice) or $285k+ (Associate Justices) as of early 2024, while state/local judges earn less, often starting around $160k-$230k, with potential for higher pay with experience or in higher courts, though federal salaries are generally highest, with adjustments for cost-of-living.
Which presidents have the most Supreme Court appointments?
As the first president, George Washington appointed the entire federal judiciary. His record of eleven Supreme Court appointments still stands. Ronald Reagan appointed 383 federal judges, more than any other president.
Who replaced Merrick Garland?
Garland's nomination lasted 293 days (the longest to date), and it expired on January 3, 2017, at the end of the 114th Congress. Eventually, subsequent President Donald Trump, a Republican, nominated Neil Gorsuch to the vacant seat, and the Republican Senate majority confirmed him.
Why did Obama appoint Elena Kagan?
Barack Obama appointed Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court because she embodied his vision for a liberal judicial restraint, valuing consensus-building, pragmatism, and understanding diverse viewpoints while respecting precedent, coupled with her prestigious background as Harvard Law Dean and Solicitor General, making her a skilled, well-rounded legal mind with deep knowledge but no extensive judicial record to scrutinize. Obama also saw her appointment as a step towards a more diverse Court, resulting in three women serving simultaneously for the first time.
Can the president change the number of Supreme Court justices?
No, the President cannot directly change the number of Supreme Court Justices; only Congress has that power by passing a law, but the President must sign that law for it to take effect, meaning both branches must agree, as seen with the Judiciary Act of 1869 fixing the number at nine. While presidents appoint justices, they can only fill existing vacancies or new ones Congress creates, as the Constitution doesn't set the court's size, allowing Congress to adjust it as a legislative check.
How many Supreme Court justices did Biden appoint?
The total number of Article III judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate was 235, including one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 45 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 187 judges for the United States district courts and two judges for the United States ...
Can the president remove the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
No, the President cannot fire the Chief Justice or any Supreme Court Justice; they hold office during "good Behavior," meaning life tenure, and can only be removed through the impeachment process by Congress (House impeaches, Senate convicts). This lifetime appointment ensures judicial independence, protecting judges from executive and legislative pressure, and they serve until death, resignation, or removal.
Did Obama appoint any Supreme Court Justices?
President Barack Obama made two successful appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States. The first was Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice David H. Souter. Sotomayor was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 6, 2009, by a vote of 68–31.
Who did Biden replace on the Supreme Court?
In February 2022, Biden selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired at the end of the court's 2022 term.
Can Supreme Court decisions be overturned?
When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final; its decisions can be altered only by the rarely used procedure of constitutional amendment or by a new ruling of the Court.
Has any president ignored a Supreme Court ruling?
Yes, presidents have ignored or defied Supreme Court rulings, most famously Andrew Jackson with the Cherokee Nation (Trail of Tears) and Abraham Lincoln by suspending habeas corpus, but this is rare and often leads to constitutional crises, with recent instances involving defiance in deportation cases under the Trump administration. Other examples include governors defying rulings on segregation (Faubus, Barnett) and FDR's stance on military tribunals, highlighting ongoing tensions between executive power and judicial authority.
Can a president appoint a Supreme Court justice without Senate approval?
The Constitution requires the president to submit nominations to the Senate for its advice and consent. Since the Supreme Court was established in 1789, presidents have submitted 165 nominations for the Court, including those for chief justice.
Who was the Supreme Court justice appointed by Obama in 2010?
GW law professor discusses Obama's nominee to the nation's high court. Earlier this week, President Barack Obama nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the 112th justice of the Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms.