Neil M. Gorsuch
Appointed by Donald Trump
Confirmed in 2017
Biography
Justice Gorsuch has served on the Supreme Court since 2017. He previously served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and is known for his textualist approach to statutory interpretation.
Ideology Score
Conservative
Based on Martin-Quinn Score Analysis
About Martin-Quinn Scores
Martin-Quinn scores measure judicial ideology based on voting patterns. Negative scores indicate liberal voting patterns, while positive scores indicate conservative patterns. The scale typically ranges from -4 to +4.
Years on Court
9
Since 2017
Appointed By
Donald Trump
2017
Notable Rulings
Bostock v. Clayton County
2020
Authored majority opinion ruling that Title VII protects LGBTQ employees from discrimination.
Read OpinionMcGirt v. Oklahoma
2020
Ruled that much of eastern Oklahoma remains Native American territory.
Read OpinionNew York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen
2022
Joined the majority striking down New York's concealed carry permit law.
Read OpinionStudents for Fair Admissions v. Harvard
2023
Joined the majority striking down affirmative action in college admissions.
Read OpinionCareer Path
Justice Byron White & Justice Anthony Kennedy, SCOTUS
Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel
DOJ
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States · 2017–Present
⚠️ Controversies & Allegations (2)
Stolen Seat — Merrick Garland Block
Gorsuch fills the seat Senate Republicans refused to consider for Merrick Garland (Obama's nominee) for 10 months before the 2016 election — an unprecedented partisan obstruction.
Source: Congressional Record, 2016
Real Estate Sale to Law Firm Client
Gorsuch sold a 40-acre property to the CEO of a law firm that had cases before SCOTUS, two weeks after his confirmation. Not disclosed until ProPublica's investigation.
Source: ProPublica, July 2023
Financial Disclosures
Annual financial disclosure reports as required by the Ethics in Government Act.