Main content

U.S. Supreme Court at the Presidential Inauguration

  • Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administers the public oath of office to President Obama, as the president's wife and daughters watch.

    Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administers the public oath of office to President Obama, as the president's wife and daughters watch.

  • Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor swears in Vice President Biden, with his family looking on.

    Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor swears in Vice President Biden, with his family looking on.

  • Members of the U.S. Supreme Court stand during ceremony.

    Members of the U.S. Supreme Court stand during ceremony. From left they are Associate Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr., Elena Kagan, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Antonin Scalia.

  • Vice President Biden, President Obama and family members acknowledge dignitaries behind the stage.

    Vice President Biden, President Obama and family members acknowledge dignitaries behind the stage.

  • Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. shakes hands with Vice President Biden.

    Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. shakes hands with Vice President Biden. Other Supreme Court members include, from left, Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer and Antonin Scalia.

  • From behind the stage and dignitary seating area, the crowds attending the Inauguration, estimated at 800,000 to 1 million, can be seen.

    From behind the stage and dignitary seating area, the crowds attending the Inauguration, estimated at 800,000 to 1 million, can be seen.

Photos: Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

As has happened from the earliest years of the nation, members of the U.S. Supreme Court took part in this year’s Jan. 21 inauguration ceremony, and their participation is documented in the accompanying photo slide show. More can be learned about the historic role of federal judges in swearing in U.S. presidents in a recent Third Branch News article.

Related Topics: United States Supreme Court