October 14, 2025


Impeachment Scare Not a Career Ender for Supreme Court Justices

In the storied halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices serve lifetime appointments, the specter of impeachment is rare but not necessarily career-ending. This point comes into sharp relief when considering the historical backdrop of impeachment within the highest court in the land.

The trivia question of the day asks: Who was the only Supreme Court justice to be served articles of impeachment by the House of Representatives? Notably, this justice was acquitted by the Senate and continued to serve on the Court until his death, underscoring the notion that even the gravest legal challenges can dissipate, leaving long and influential careers untouched.

Impeachment proceedings within the U.S. judicial context are as severe as they are uncommon. For a Supreme Court justice, the process begins in the House of Representatives, which has the sole power to impeach, or formally accuse. If impeached, the case moves to the Senate, where a trial is held, and a two-thirds vote is required for conviction. An acquittal, as in the case of this unnamed justice, means the judge can resume their duties as if the proceedings had never occurred.

The resilience shown by justices who withstand such trials speaks volumes about the robust nature of American judicial governance. Despite the political and personal turbulence impeachment brings, the acquitted justice's ability to continue serving until death is a testament to their legal acumen and the Senate's ultimate faith in their character and capabilities.

This historical tidbit not only enriches our understanding of the Supreme Court's past but also acts as a reminder of the judiciary's unique role in the U.S. government, where checks and balances are designed to temper, but not necessarily topple, the pillars of judicial authority.

For those interested in the deeper stories of the Supreme Court's justices — impeached or otherwise — resources abound that shed light on the personal and professional trials faced by these eminent legal figures. In every account, the resilience and enduring nature of justice itself are the recurring themes that continue to shape the narrative of the highest court in the United States.