The nine judges who hold the seats on the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest federal court of the United States, are responsible for the final interpreters of federal law. In recent history, their decisions have upheld President Trump's travel ban, Ohio's voter purging laws, and ruled in favorof the Colorado bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. For 12 years, Justice Anthony Kennedy represented a swing vote, however, his impending retirementand the appointment of a new justice has the potential to change the Supreme Court's composition for decades.
Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to replace Justice Kennedy, has been faced with deeply partisan support and pushback throughout Congress's confirmation hearings. This is not the first time we've witnessed partisan action in regards to the judicial branch, however, the role of partisanship seems to be extending beyond the nominee process to within the court's decisions. Have party lines divided the U.S. Supreme Court? Is it at risk for becoming just another tool for the major parties to enact political change rather than upholding the ideals of American democracy?
Jonathan L. Entin
David L. Brennan Professor Emeritus of Law and Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
· Jeremy Paris
Principal, The Raben Group, and, Former Chief Counsel for Nominations and Oversight, Senate Judiciary Committee
· Lisa A. Tucker
Associate Professor of Law, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Drexel University
· Nehal Chigurupati
Youth Forum Council Member
Sam Lehman
Youth Forum Council Member
Nick Carabello
Youth Forum Council Member
Johnique Wilson
Youth Forum Council Member
