Supreme Court Justices Alito And Roberts: A Retrospective On Their Long Tenures

Mei Lin

5 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

4.6

Share

Justice John Roberts: A Pragmatic Centrist?

Chief Justice John Roberts’s judicial philosophy is often described as pragmatism or judicial minimalism. He prioritizes narrow rulings, focusing on the immediate case before him rather than broadly reinterpreting constitutional principles. This approach is evident in several landmark cases. In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012), upholding the Affordable Care Act, Roberts sided with the liberal justices on the individual mandate, but on the basis of Congress's taxing power, a pragmatic approach that avoided a broader constitutional challenge. His role in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, involved a concurring opinion emphasizing the Court's legitimacy and respecting established legal precedent. In contrast, his opinion in Citizens United v. FEC (2010), expanding corporate campaign finance rights, reflected a more conservative stance, albeit with a focus on narrowly interpreting campaign finance laws. More recently, in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), he joined a majority opinion extending Title VII protection to LGBTQ+ employees, demonstrating his willingness to consider precedent alongside textual interpretation.

• Emphasis on upholding precedent (stare decisis): Roberts frequently emphasizes the importance of adhering to previous Supreme Court rulings.
• Concerns for the Court's legitimacy and institutional integrity: Roberts often prioritizes decisions that maintain the Court’s authority and public trust.
• Analysis of his swing vote decisions and their impact: Roberts’s position as a pivotal swing vote has significantly shaped the outcomes of numerous cases, influencing the balance of the Court. His pragmatic approach means that his votes aren't always predictable based on a strict ideological lens, leading to unexpected outcomes and significant consequences for the interpretation of various laws.

Justice Samuel Alito: A Conservative Force on the Court

Justice Samuel Alito's judicial philosophy is firmly rooted in conservatism. He is known for his originalist and textualist approaches to constitutional interpretation, focusing on the original meaning of the Constitution’s text and avoiding broad interpretations. This perspective is dramatically illustrated in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), overturning Roe v. Wade and returning abortion rights to individual states. Alito’s opinion emphasizes a strict reading of the Constitution, arguing that the right to abortion is not explicitly mentioned and therefore not protected. His concurrence in Citizens United v. FEC aligned with a broader conservative view regarding campaign finance. Similarly, in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), Alito wrote for the majority striking down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, reflecting his emphasis on states' rights.

• Emphasis on textualism and originalism in constitutional interpretation: Alito consistently prioritizes the original meaning of the Constitution's text, as understood at the time of its enactment.
• Focus on states' rights and limitations on federal power: Alito frequently advocates for a more limited role for the federal government, emphasizing the authority of individual states.
• Influence on the Court's conservative shift: Alito’s consistent conservative rulings have significantly contributed to the Court's ideological shift to the right.

The Alito and Roberts Courts: A Comparative Analysis

While both Justices Alito and Roberts are considered conservatives, their approaches differ significantly. Roberts's pragmatism often leads him to seek narrow rulings that avoid sweeping changes to the legal landscape. Alito, in contrast, is more willing to embrace bolder, more consequential decisions based on his strict interpretation of the Constitution’s text. Their areas of agreement often involve concerns about federal overreach and the importance of established legal precedent (stare decisis) but even then, their approaches are distinct. Instances of concurrence and dissent between them reveal the complexities of their relationship within the Court’s dynamics. Their combined presence has undeniably altered the balance of the Supreme Court, resulting in a more conservative jurisprudence, particularly in high-profile cases dealing with issues such as abortion, voting rights, and campaign finance.

• Areas of agreement and disagreement on key legal issues: While generally aligned on conservative principles, their approaches to specific cases and legal interpretations may differ.
• Analysis of their impact on the balance of the court: Their individual and combined influence on the Court’s decision-making process is profound.
• Long-term implications of their decisions on American society: Their rulings have significant implications for American society in the realms of civil rights, reproductive rights, and political participation.

The Legacy of Justices Alito and Roberts

The tenures of Justices Alito and Roberts have undeniably left a lasting impact on the Supreme Court and the trajectory of American law. Their decisions will continue to shape legal interpretations and influence future appointments to the Court. The long-term consequences of their rulings will unfold over time, creating enduring debates and analysis. The ongoing public discussion surrounding their jurisprudence highlights the immense influence these justices have exerted on the American legal system and society as a whole.

• Their influence on future appointments to the Supreme Court: Their legacy will undoubtedly inform the criteria and considerations for future Supreme Court nominees.
• The long-term consequences of their decisions on various legal areas: Their rulings will have ripple effects across numerous legal fields for decades to come.
• The ongoing public discourse and analysis of their jurisprudence: Their decisions remain the subject of intense scholarly debate and public discussion.

Conclusion: Supreme Court Justices Alito and Roberts: A Lasting Impact

The individual and collective impacts of Supreme Court Justices Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court's jurisprudence are profound and far-reaching. Their contrasting yet complementary approaches to constitutional interpretation have shaped landmark decisions, influencing the balance of the Court and the direction of American law for years to come. Understanding their judicial philosophies is essential to comprehending the ongoing evolution of constitutional law in the United States. Continue learning about the impact of Supreme Court Justices Alito and Roberts by exploring additional resources and engaging in thoughtful discussions about their lasting influence on American jurisprudence.