Has the Supreme Court Always Tilted Political- An Unraveling of America’s Highest Judicial Institution

Has the Supreme Court Always Been Political?

The Supreme Court of the United States has long been a subject of debate and controversy, with many questioning whether the institution has always been political. Critics argue that the Court’s decisions have been influenced by political ideologies and the interests of various groups, while supporters maintain that the Court’s role is to interpret the Constitution and ensure the rule of law. This article explores the historical and contemporary aspects of the Supreme Court’s political nature, examining key cases and the evolving role of the justices.

Historically, the Supreme Court has indeed been influenced by political considerations. One of the earliest examples of the Court’s political nature can be seen in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison (1803), where Chief Justice John Marshall established the principle of judicial review. This decision, which allowed the Court to strike down acts of Congress as unconstitutional, was a powerful assertion of the Court’s authority and set the stage for future political battles.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Supreme Court faced numerous challenges to its political independence. For instance, in the Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) decision, the Court ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. This decision was widely seen as a political move to support the pro-slavery agenda of the Southern states.

The mid-20th century saw further evidence of the Court’s political nature, particularly during the civil rights era. In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Court overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine, declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This landmark decision was a significant victory for the civil rights movement, but it also reflected the political pressure exerted on the Court to address the nation’s racial divide.

In more recent years, the political nature of the Supreme Court has continued to be a topic of discussion. One of the most contentious issues has been abortion rights. In Roe v. Wade (1973), the Court ruled that a woman’s right to an abortion was protected by the Constitution. However, in 2022, the Court overturned this precedent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, allowing individual states to restrict or ban abortion. This decision has been widely criticized as a political move to undermine the Court’s commitment to precedent and the rule of law.

Another area where the Supreme Court’s political nature has been evident is in its approach to campaign finance laws. In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), the Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns, effectively reversing a century of campaign finance regulations. This decision has been criticized as a gift to wealthy donors and special interests, further undermining the Court’s independence.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court has indeed been political throughout its history. While the Court’s role is to interpret the Constitution and ensure the rule of law, the justices have often been influenced by political considerations, both in their decisions and in the political battles surrounding those decisions. As the Court continues to address critical issues facing the nation, its political nature will likely remain a topic of debate and concern.