This is second in an a Governing series in a historical look at the Supreme Court to coincide with nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation process, which continues this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Three dangerous trends appear to be jeopardizing the independence and credibility of the third branch of the federal government. Court decisions are increasingly falling out along what appear to be purely partisan lines. The watershed moment for this trend was Bush v. Gore in 2000, when the court voted 5:4 to abort the Florida vote recount and declare George W. Bush president. All five justices who voted to end the recount were appointed by Republican presidents. The four who dissented had all been appointed by Democrats. 

Congress’ “advice and consent” to the president on appointments to the judiciary has become sharply partisan — and the numbers prove it.