Current Supreme Court Justices

Elena Kagan

Nominated by Barack Obama, fourth female justice. Democrat. First justice appointed without any prior experience as a judge since William Rehnquist in 1972. Appointed in 2010. Judaism.

Sonia Sotomayor

Nominated by Barack Obama. First Hispanic justice, first Latina, third female justice. Part of the Democratic Party until 2009, then independent, typically supports the informal liberal justices. Appointed in 2009. Roman Catholic.

Ruth Bader Ginsborg

Nominated by Bill Clinton, second female justice after Sandra Day O'Connor, generally viewed as belonging to the liberal wing of the court. Assumed office in 1993. Judaism.

Stephen Breyer

Nominated by Bill Clinton. Known for his pragmatic approach to constitutional law, and generally associated with the more liberal side of the court. Democrat. Appointed in 1994. Judaism.

Clarence Thomas

Nominated by George H. W. Bush, second black American to serve on the court after Thurgood Marshall. Takes a textual approach to the constitution, seeking to uphold the original intent. Republican and generally viewed as the most conservative member of the court. Appointed in 1991. Roman Catholic.

John Roberts

Nominated by George W Bush. 17th and current Chief Justice of the United States, has been described as having a conservative judicial policy in his jurisprudence. Appointed in 2005. Roman Catholic.

Samuel Alito

Nominated by George W Bush. Second Italian-American justice, republican and considered one of the most conservative justices on the court. Described as a conservative jurist with a libertarian streak. Appointed in 2006. Roman Catholic.

Anthony Kennedy

Nominated by Ronald Reagan. Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Republican Party, but often acts as the swing vote and his libertarian principles play prominent roles his judicial opinions. Appointed in 1988. Roman Catholic.