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How do US Supreme Court justices get appointed? - Peter Paccone

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There’s a job out there with a great deal of power, pay, prestige, and near-perfect job-security. And there’s only one way to be hired: get appointed to the US Supreme Court. But how do US Supreme Court Justices actually get that honor? Peter Paccone outlines the difficult process of getting a seat on the highest bench in the country.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Peter Paccone
  • Director Hernando Bahamon
  • Script Editor Mia Nacamulli
  • Collaborator Loren Kleinrock
  • Art Director Andrés Landazábal
  • Compositor Ricardo Avila
  • Composer Manuel Borda
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Interested in visiting the Unites States Supreme Court? Click here to check out the court’s website.

Click here for an Atlantic Monthly article entitled "Life Tenure Is Too Long for Supreme Court Justices". There has been some concern that allowing Supreme Court justices to serve for life is causing too many problems. It may be time to consider setting 18-year term limits for all future justices. What is your opinion on the topic?

Want to learn some interesting facts about appointments to Supreme Court? Take a look at: 7 Things To Know About Presidential Appointments To The Supreme Court. There have been some myths about nominees to the Supreme Court. Check out this Time Magazine article: Four Enduring Myths About Supreme Court Nominees.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Peter Paccone
  • Director Hernando Bahamon
  • Script Editor Mia Nacamulli
  • Collaborator Loren Kleinrock
  • Art Director Andrés Landazábal
  • Compositor Ricardo Avila
  • Composer Manuel Borda
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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