Who is the longest-serving justice right now?
Asked by: Ms. Sabrina Marvin DVM | Last update: June 7, 2026Score: 5/5 (10 votes)
The longest-serving justice currently on the U.S. Supreme Court is Justice Clarence Thomas, who has served since October 23, 1991, making him the most senior member and the longest-tenured justice on the court by a significant margin. As of January 21, 2026, his tenure exceeds 34 years, placing him among the longest-serving justices in Supreme Court history.
Who is the current longest serving Supreme Court justice?
The longest-serving Supreme Court Justice currently is Clarence Thomas, who joined the court on October 23, 1991, making him the only current Justice to have served since the 20th century, with a tenure exceeding 34 years as of early 2026, far surpassing Chief Justice John Roberts and other current members.
Who served 34 years as Chief Justice?
John Marshall served as the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for 34 years, from 1801 until his death in 1835, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice in American history, significantly shaping the Court's power and establishing judicial review with the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision.
How many years has Clarence Thomas served?
Clarence Thomas has served on the U.S. Supreme Court since October 23, 1991, meaning he has served for over 34 years as of late 2025, making him the longest-serving current justice and the fifth-longest-serving in Supreme Court history. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush, he replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall and has served continuously since his swearing-in.
Who can remove the judge from the Supreme Court?
Only the U.S. Congress can remove Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges through the impeachment process: the House of Representatives impeaches (charges), and the Senate convicts and removes, requiring a two-thirds vote for conviction. Justices hold office for life during "good behavior," meaning removal only happens for serious misconduct like treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
SCOTUS Justices: How Long Do They Serve on the Supreme Court?
Who is the most powerful judge in the United States?
The most powerful judge in the United States is widely considered to be the Chief Justice of the United States, a position currently held by John G. Roberts, Jr., because they lead the Supreme Court, the nation's highest court, setting the agenda, influencing decisions, and overseeing the entire federal judiciary, making them highly influential in interpreting the Constitution and shaping American law.
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.
Who was the youngest Supreme Court justice?
The youngest U.S. Supreme Court Justice ever was Joseph Story, appointed by President James Madison in 1811 at the age of 32, remaining the youngest to this day, with William Johnson also appointed at 32 (or 33, depending on source) around the same era. Story joined the Court at 32 years, 58 days old, becoming a pivotal constitutional scholar.
Who was the greatest Chief Justice of all time?
While "greatest" is subjective, John Marshall (Chief Justice 1801-1835) is most often called "the Great Chief Justice" for establishing the Supreme Court as a co-equal branch of government, defining judicial review in Marbury v. Madison, and solidifying federal power, making him arguably the most influential, though others like Earl Warren and Thurgood Marshall are also considered highly impactful.
What is the salary of the Chief Justice?
The Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court's salary is $312,200 annually, effective January 1, 2024, while Associate Justices earn $298,500; these figures are set by federal law and adjusted periodically for cost-of-living. State-level Chief Justices, however, receive varying salaries depending on their specific state's laws, like Nebraska's Chief Justice earning approximately $231,857 in 2026 or Maryland's earning $255,433 in mid-2025.
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.
Can the president change the number of Supreme Court justices?
No, the President cannot unilaterally change the number of Supreme Court Justices; that power belongs to Congress, which can pass a law (like the Judiciary Acts) to alter the size, and the President would then sign it, but the President cannot just add justices on their own. Congress sets the number of justices, and while historically it's been nine since 1869, they have the constitutional authority to change it through legislation, though doing so for purely political reasons (like "court packing") is controversial and has never succeeded, notes Stevens & Lee and NBC News.
What is the CJi's salary?
The salary for the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (CJI) is $320,700 annually as of 2026, according to the US Courts website. Other salary data on "CJI" refers to different roles, like the Criminal Justice Institute (e.g., $152,504 for a Director at the Arkansas CJI) or various private companies (CJI, Inc., CJI LLC) with much lower average wages, so context is key.
What illness does Sotomayor have?
Sotomayor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven and began taking daily insulin injections. Her father died of heart problems at age 42, when she was nine years old. After that, she became fluent in English.
Who can supersede the Supreme Court?
Congress can influence and limit the judicial branch, and the judiciary can check Congress's powers. Legislative Branch's Checks on the Judicial Branch: Impeachment power: Congress can impeach and remove federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, for misconduct.
Can Congress eliminate the Supreme Court?
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. See . Congress cannot abolish the high court. See .
Does the president have power over the Supreme Court?
The president nominates Supreme Court justices, but the Senate has the sole power to confirm those appointments.
Can the U.S. president remove a Supreme Court justice?
No, a President cannot remove a Supreme Court Justice; only Congress can remove a Justice through the impeachment process, requiring a House vote to impeach and a Senate conviction for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors," as Justices hold office "during good Behaviour" (lifetime tenure unless removed).
Who is the greatest judge of all time?
The Greatest Judges of All Time: the Titans who defied history
- RUTH BADER GINSBURG (UNITED STATES, 1933-2020)
- THURGOOD MARSHALL (UNITED STATES, 1908-1993)
- LOUIS BRANDEIS (UNITED STATES, 1856-1941)
- JEAN-JACQUES CAMBACÉRÈS (FRANCE, 1753-1824)
- SALADIN (MIDDLE EAST, 1137-1193)
- THE ENDURING LEGACY: WHEN COURAGE CONQUERS FEAR.
Who has more authority than a judge?
While judges hold significant authority in court, others wield different forms of power, including Legislators (Congress) who make laws judges interpret, the President who enforces them and appoints judges, Prosecutors (DAs) who heavily influence case outcomes through charging decisions, and even Juries who determine facts, all operating within a system of checks and balances where power is distributed, not absolute.
Can voters remove a Supreme Court judge?
Article II of the California Constitution, approved by California voters in 1911, allows people to recall and remove elected officials and justices of the State Supreme Court from office.
Who wrote the Constitution?
James Madison, "the father of the Constitution," was one of the first to arrive in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention. He arrived in early May, bearing the blueprint for the new Constitution. Of the forty-two delegates who attended most of the meetings, thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution.
Can a justice be forced to retire?
Lower court judges are usually appointed for a renewable term of years, and may also subject to a performance review and a mandatory retirement age. A notable exception is the United States federal judiciary: the constitution accords Article III judges life tenure with no mandatory retirement age.