Frq #4

FRQ #4

           The Chief Justice has often been called the “first among equals” because he holds one of the most powerful positions in the United States and also controls one of the most powerful organizations in the
United States.  The Chief Justice has many special roles and many powers that are used to influence and affect the Supreme Court, and in turn, the entire
United States, and which make him the “first among equals”.  There are many roles that the Chief Justice plays including, preceding over impeachment, delivering the oath of office to the president, and head of the Supreme Court and of Federal Courts.  Along with the many roles the Chief Justice plays, he/she also has many powers including, influence, controlling discussions, and directing court conferences.

            The Chief Justice has many roles it plays in the Supreme Court, which affects the whole
United States government.  One of the major roles that the Chief Justice plays is proceeding over impeachment trials.  The Chief Justice is the one who basically runs the impeachment trial, and also impeachment trials are a huge ordeal in the
United States government and need to be done right.  The Chief Justice also administers the oath of office to the election winner so that he can formally become president.  The Chief Justice is also head of the Supreme Court, Federal Courts and also Judicial Conference of the entire
United States. 

            Along with the many roles the Chief Justice plays, he/she also has many powers that they hold.  One of the major powers is the power to influence socially, intellectually, and also politically.  The Chief Justice is obviously the social leader since they control the discussion, and also they generate solidarity in the group.  The Chief Justice must also be an intellectual leader since they hold such an important position, and also hold “seniority” of the other justices, and supposedly when a person gets older, they get wiser too.  Political leadership is another role the Chief Justice plays since they have a general policy position.  Most independent minded judges will not acquiesce the Chief Justice’s views, since they hold the most power in the Supreme Court.  It has been said that John Marshall, one of the most influential Chief Justices in history, had all three of those characteristics, making him an excellent Chief Justice.  The Chief Justice also controls all discussion in the Supreme Court, and also they control the gavel.  The Chief Justice also directs the court conferences.  Another major power the Chief Justice Plays is to appoint members to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).  The FISC helps agencies like the FBI gain surveillance warrants to help catch terrorists in the country or anyone else trying to hurt the
United States.

            The Chief Justice holds a majority amount of power, since he is the authority figures of the United States Supreme Court.  He holds many roles including, proceeding officer over impeachment, administers the oath for presidency, and head of Judicial Conference of the
US.  Some of the powers that the Chief Justice holds includes:  appointing members to the FISC, influence over many of the issues and justices, and controlling the discussion and gavel.