John Roberts

John G.

John G. Roberts Jr. is the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, appointed in 2005. He leads the court's conservative wing but is often seen as an institutionalist who prioritizes the court's legitimacy.

Who he is

John G. Roberts Jr. is the seventeenth and current Chief Justice of the United States. He was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2005 and confirmed by the Senate in a 78–22 vote. He became the youngest chief justice since John Marshall in 1801. Before his appointment, he served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and built a reputation as a top appellate lawyer.

Why it matters

Roberts is generally aligned with the court's conservative wing, but his decisions often reflect a strong concern for the court's institutional legitimacy and public standing. He has authored major opinions on the Affordable Care Act, affirmative action, and presidential immunity. In closely divided cases, he has sometimes provided a stabilizing vote, earning a reputation as a key swing justice.

Key details

Roberts earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard. He clerked for federal judges, worked in the Reagan administration, and served as Principal Deputy Solicitor General. Before becoming a judge, he argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court as a private appellate lawyer.