Who will be the next Supreme Court Chief Justice?
Asked by: Cassie Ruecker | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)
There is no announced next U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice; the position is currently held by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., who has served since 2005, but speculation about potential future nominees for vacancies often names judges like 5th Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham or D.C. Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, especially if a Republican president makes an appointment. A new Chief Justice will only be chosen if the current one retires or leaves, with potential candidates often discussed during potential vacancy periods.
Who is the next chief justice of the Supreme Court?
Shri Justice Surya Kant will take over as the Chief Justice of India on 24th November, 2025. Born on 10 February 1962 in the village Petwar, District Hisar, Haryana. He earned his Law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak in 1984 and then began his practice the same year at the District Courts, Hisar.
Could Trump appoint more Supreme Court justices?
Following Trump's reelection to a second, non-consecutive term in the 2024 presidential election, and entering office with a solid Republican majority in the Senate, observers noted that he would likely have the opportunity to appoint several more justices.
Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court in 2025?
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has issued his 2025 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary (PDF). This is the 21st report Chief Justice Roberts has issued since he was appointed chief justice in 2005. For reports from previous years, visit the U.S. Supreme Court website.
Who is the next CJI in 2025?
Surya Kant is the incumbent and 53rd chief justice of India, and was appointed on 24th November 2025.
Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Trump’s tariffs
What is the retirement age for a CJI?
Age 66 with at least 18 years of service credit.
Who was the youngest Chief Justice?
The youngest Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was John Marshall, who was 45 years old when appointed in 1801, while the youngest ever appointed Chief Justice to be sworn in (after Marshall) was John G. Roberts, Jr., at age 50 in 2005, making him the youngest in over 200 years.
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.
What is the CJi's salary?
The salary for the Chief Justice of the United States (CJI) is approximately $286,700 annually as of January 2026, while Associate Justices earn around $274,200; however, some sources show higher figures like $320,700 for the Chief Justice in 2026, depending on the specific data source and potential adjustments for federal judges, but generally, it's in the high $200,000s to low $300,000s.
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 a 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.
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.
How many Supreme Court justices did Trump recommend?
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 ...
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.
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 are the future CJI members?
The next eight Chief Justices of India: 2025 to 2033
- Justice Surya Kant (53)
- Justice Vikram Nath (54)
- Justice B.V. Nagarathna (55)
- Justice P.S. Narasimha (56)
- Justice J.B. Pardiwala (57)
- Justice K.V. Viswanathan (58)
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi (59)
- Justice Vipul Pancholi (60)
What is judge Judy's salary?
Judge Judy Sheindlin earned a reported $47 million annually for hosting her hit show, a figure she negotiated for years, making her one of the world's highest-paid TV hosts before the show ended in 2021. This substantial income came from her salary, plus a significant $100 million payout for selling the show's library rights to CBS. She continued earning large sums with her subsequent shows, Judy Justice and Justice on Trial, streaming on Amazon/Prime Video.
What is the president's salary?
The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary.
Who is the highest paid judge in the United States?
The highest-paid judges in the U.S. are typically Federal Judges, especially Supreme Court Justices, followed by high-level state court judges in states like California and Illinois, with federal Chief Justice salary over $300k and state supreme justices nearing $300k, according to early 2024 data. State judges in California and Illinois consistently rank at the top for various court levels, while salaries vary significantly by state.
Who is the most powerful judge in the United States?
The most powerful judge in the United States is generally considered to be the Chief Justice of the United States, currently John G. Roberts, Jr., because he leads the Supreme Court, heads the entire federal judiciary, and holds significant influence in shaping legal precedent and the Court's direction, even if his vote is just one of nine. His power comes from judicial leadership, managing close cases, and influencing the institutional reputation of the Supreme Court.
Can the President fire the vice president?
The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the vice president of the United States from office in two separate proceedings. The first one takes place in the House of Representatives, which impeaches the vice president by approving articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote.
Can you become a judge without being a lawyer?
Yes, you can be a judge without a law degree, especially in lower courts (like traffic, small claims, or municipal courts) in many U.S. states where non-lawyer judges handle less complex cases after minimal training, and even federal judges aren't constitutionally required to have one, though most do; however, higher courts generally require extensive legal experience or a JD. Requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction, with some states allowing non-lawyers for specific roles like Justice of the Peace or Magistrate, while higher courts almost always demand a law degree.
Who was the greatest Chief Justice of all time?
While "greatest" is subjective, John Marshall (4th Chief Justice) is overwhelmingly considered the most influential for establishing judicial review and federal power, laying the Supreme Court's foundation. Other contenders for impact include Earl Warren, known for civil rights, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., celebrated for his jurisprudence, but Marshall's foundational role in shaping American law sets him apart for many, earning him the moniker "the Great Chief Justice".
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 is the shortest serving Chief Justice?
Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, the 16th chief justice, is the longest-serving chief justice, serving over seven years (February 1978 – July 1985), while Kamal Narain Singh, the 22nd chief justice, is the shortest-serving, for 17 days in 1991. As of 2025, there has been no woman who has served as chief justice of India.