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How to Tour the Supreme Court

This post covers how to attend a U.S. Supreme Court tour as well as courtroom lectures and oral arguments with tips on how to plan your visit and what you might see.  

• Where is the Supreme Court
• Guided Tours + Exhibits
• Courtroom Lecture
• Attend a Supreme Court Case
• Visit the US Capitol and Library of Congress
• Other Things to Do in DC

HOW TO GET TO THE SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court Building is located at 1 First Street St NE across the street from the US Capitol Building and the Library of Congress.

Use this link for directions to the Supreme Court . 

Or let us take you here on one of our pay-what-you-like  Capitol Hill Tours .

It is a 7 min walk from the Capitol South Station Metro ( Blue , Orange , Silver ). Exit the station and continue north on First Street for two blocks.

It is also about a 15-minute walk from Union Station ( Red ), which has a paid parking garage. 

If you are new to DC's subway system, then read our guide on how to use the DC Metro system .

There are no parking facilities at the building. Street parking is very limited. You can reserve a space at nearby commercial garages through a service called SpotHero .

Supreme Court Hours:

The Supreme Court is open on weekdays 9 am - 3 pm , excluding Federal Holidays. The building is not open on the weekend.

Like most federal buildings, you will be required to enter through security. There are two doors on either side of the main steps on the plaza level to enter the building.  

Prohibited items  include weapons and other dangerous items.

SUPREME COURT TOURS + CURRENT EXHIBITS

The Supreme Court currently does not offer guided tours; visitors are encouraged to tour the building independently ( or on a tour with us !).  

In reality, visitors are limited to only the public portions of the building, which are mostly the exhibits on the ground floor as well as the Main Hall on the 2nd floor.  

There are several opportunities to visit the main courtroom (see below sections on attending a court lecture or to hear a case ).

Once through security, you will be on the ground floor.

Here you will find a 24-minute film that covers the history of the building, with interviews with the Chief Justice as well as Associate and former Justices.

It's on this floor where you will also find the current exhibitions .

• The Supreme Court Building: America's Temple of Justice
• Reading the Law: Legal Education in America
• Sandra Day O'Connor, First Woman on the Supreme Court
• The Power of Image: Charles Evans Hughes in Prints, Photographs, and Drawings
• Capturing Justice: Judicial Portraits by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Supreme Court Building Tours

We are able to offer small group private tours that visit inside the Supreme Court on private versions of our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tour!

This 2 hour tour would tour inside the Supreme Court Building, inside the Library of Congress & end with tickets to tour inside the Capitol Building with their professional docents (this tour would be an additional 50 minutes to our 2 hour tour)

Our almost twice-a-day public version of this tour does not guarantee entrance into the Supreme Court (though sometimes we can visit inside based on security and opening). On private tours, we can schedule it to ensure we can go inside the Supreme Court.

Contact us to book a private Capitol Hill tour that enters the Supreme Court!

HOW TO ATTEND A SUPREME COURT LECTURE

Since this is a working federal building, you are limited as to where you can go on your self-guided tour.

The only way to visit the courtroom is by attending a docent lecture or attending a case.

You can read about attending a case below but if you are visiting on a day that the court is not hearing a case, you can still have a seat in the courtroom and listen to the history of the court and the building.

30-minute courtroom lectures are held every half-hour from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.  

Seating is first-come, first-served, so during the busy spring and summer months, expect to get there early to wait in line.

For the most up-to-date information on when lectures are scheduled, visit the lecture calendar .

  HOW TO ATTEND A SUPREME COURT ORAL ARGUMENT

While you can visit the Supreme Court courtroom as a visitor for lectures, cases are also open to the public.

Called Oral Arguments, these are the 1-hour long sessions where each side is allowed 30 minutes to argue before the court.

From the first Monday to October to Mid-April, cases are generally heard on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10 am and at 11 am, with additional afternoon sessions as needed.

There are two ways to attend a Supreme Court case.

You could either secure a seat and witness the entire Oral Arguments, or you can catch a quick 3-minute glimpse of the proceedings. (the 3-minute line is suspended still as of Feb 2024)

These two lines form on the plaza before each case.

For a landmark Supreme Court case, some people will line up days in advance to guarantee a spot. On a non-high-profile day, people arrive around 6 am-7 am.

Normally, only the first 50 are able to get in for the entire session.

Numbered tickets are given out prior to seating to allow you time to go to the restroom, cafeteria, and cloakroom.

If you don't get a seat , you can also do a walk-through where you stay for a few minutes and then move on. You can rotate through as many times as you'd like by getting back in line. (This is not an option as of Feb 2024. We hope it returns soon!)

You can also attend Bench Mondays (Mondays, 10 am, mid-May through June) to hear the court opinions and decisions.

These are about 15 - 30 minutes long, but can also form long lines for high-profile cases.

To see what cases are being argued, visit the Argument Calendar.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

There are 9 Supreme Court Justices in total: 8 associate justices and one Chief Justice.

How do you become a Supreme Court Justice?

There are only two requirements to be a Supreme Court justice. It is not based on age, citizenship, or experience.

You must be nominated by the President and approved by Senate. It is a lifetime appointment that one holds until they retire.

Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court Chief Justice is a position appointed by the President, so it is not relevant to the length of time they serve on the court.

The current Supreme Court Justice is John Roberts.

Who are the current Supreme Court Justices?

• Clarence Thomas (1991)
• John Roberts (2005
• Samuel Alito (2006)
• Sonia Sotomeyer (2009)
• Elena Kagen (2010)
• Neil Gorsuch (2017)
• Brett Cavanaugh (2018)
• Amy Coney Barrett (2020)
• Ketanji Brown Jackson (2022)

VISIT THE U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING AND THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Why not make a half-day of it and visit both the U.S. Capitol Building as well as the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress?

Both are adjacent to the Supreme Court Building. 

You could also have lunch at the Capitol Visitor Center.  

For more information on visiting and touring both buildings, click on the links below.

• U.S. Capitol Building
• Library of Congress

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SCHS Membership

Upcoming SCHS Events

Historical Documentaries

Travel Through Supreme Court History

Visit the Supreme Court Historical Society’s CIVICS website to learn about the history and cases of the Supreme Court of the United States and gain insights into key figures associated with the Court. 

A Historical Timeline of the Court

A timeline of Supreme Court history, including the Marshall and Warren Courts + landmark cases: West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, and significant rulings in women’s rights court cases.

• THE GIFT SHOP

Search SUPREMECOURTHISTORY.ORG

How the court works — visiting the court.

Visitors are invited to view the Courtroom at any time when the Court is not in session; brief lectures are given there every hour on the half hour. On the ground floor the public may see two graceful spiral staircases and the historical exhibits that are among the responsibilities of the Curator, Catherine Fitts. In 1982 this area acquired a magnificent centerpiece: a larger-than-life bronze statue of John Marshall. It had stood on the west terrace of the Capitol since 1884, when the Supreme Court still met in that building. The sculptor, William Wetmore Story, was the son of Justice Joseph Story, who served on the Court during the Marshall era.

Since 1970, burgundy carpeting and green plants in the corridors and flowers in the courtyards have relieved the austerity of the marble. Gold and deep red then replaced institutional green in the cafeteria, which is open to the public but reserves special time at lunch for the Court staff in the interest of efficiency.

The Court is increasingly popular among visitors to Washington, and the number who came to look and listen reached 900,000 in 1993. Visitors who want to see the Court at work should check its schedule in advance. Usually it alternates two weeks of hearing cases, on Monday through Wednesday, with two weeks of recess, for opinion-writing.

Spectators are admitted to the Chamber as seats become available. The public seating capacity is approximately 250; but for the most dramatic cases and special occasions there is never enough room.

All visitors must check coats, hats, briefcases, books, umbrellas, cameras, radios, pagers, cell phones, tape recorders and other electronic equipment before entering the Chamber. Marshal Curley and her aides may politely find clothes too informal. Standards have relaxed greatly since coats and ties were obligatory for men, but T-shirts, slacks, and shoes are the very minimum required for admittance. The presence of small children is not encouraged—”Oh, no younger than about six,” says a police officer. “But the young ones usually behave; they seem to catch the atmosphere.”

Constantly during a session the aisles are patrolled to see that no one breaks the rules by writing or sketching (permitted only in the press section) or whispering, or, as officially described, expressing “favor or disfavor.” Even draping one’s arm over the back of a chair is still against the rules but the Marshal no longer insists that attorneys in the bar section keep their suit coats buttoned.

Resources for Teachers & Students

Supreme court historical society 224 east capitol st. n.e. washington, d.c. 20003 phone: 202.543.0400, [email protected], sign up for our newletters:.

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U.S. Supreme Court

Upon arrival at the Supreme Court, visitors are often struck by the imposing marble building. Architecturally magnificent, the neoclassical structure was built in 1935 to become the permanent home to the Supreme Court. Walking along the hallway towards the Courtroom, guests are greeted by busts of all the former Chief Justices. The Supreme Court is the highest judiciary authority in the United States and hears about 100 cases each year, although more than 7,000 are submitted before them. Visitors can tour the Supreme Court building, hear lectures on the history of the court and how it works, sit in on sessions on specified days and times and view various exhibits throughout the year.

Despite its central role as one of the three main branches of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution, the Supreme Court did not have its own venue to conduct business for the first 145 years of its existence. The Court initially met in the Merchants Exchange Building while the capital was located in New York. When the nation’s capital moved to Philadelphia beginning in 1790, the Court met in Independence Hall and City Hall. With the establishment of the federal city 10 years later, the Supreme Court occupied chambers in various parts of the Capitol Building. It would also convene in a private residence for a short time after British soldiers burned Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. The Court would return to the Capitol and occupy the Old Supreme Court Chamber from 1819 until 1860. With expansion of the Capitol, the Court was relocated and convened in the Old Senate Chamber from 1860 until 1935.

Brief History of the Supreme Court Building

Former president and then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Howard Taft persuaded Congress in 1929 to authorize the construction of a separate building for the Court. Architect Cass Gilbert was selected to design the new federal building. The construction project began in 1932. Neither Taft nor Gilbert survived to see the completed building, which was finished in 1935. Chief Justice Charles Hughes and Cass Gilbert, Jr. oversaw the construction of the new Courthouse, which was completed under budget.

The Supreme Court Building occupies a site that was once the setting of the Old Brick Capitol, which served as a temporary capitol from 1815 until 1819. The building was also a private school boarding house and prison. It was razed in 1929 to make room for the new Supreme Court Building. A basketball court on the building’s fifth floor is colloquially known as “the highest court in the land.” The Supreme Court Building is one of only a few buildings designated as a National Landmark that is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places .

Must See Exhibits

The Supreme Court Building does not offer guided tours. You are encouraged to view the public spaces at your own pace. The exterior grounds as well as portions of the ground and first floors are open to the public. The building’s main façade faces west toward the U.S. Capitol . The main plaza includes fountains, flagpoles and benches as well as marble candelabra depicting “Justice” holding a sword and scales. A bas-relief sculpture of the Greek deities known as the Three Fates knit the thread of life. The base of each flagpole contains symbolic designs of scales, a sword, pen and book as well as the elements of earth, air, water and fire.

Two sculptures of seated figures by James Earle Fraser flank the main entrance. While the female figure entitled Contemplation of Justice is situated on the left, the male figure Guardian of Authority is found on the right. The 6.5-ton bronze doors depict historic scenes from the development of law created by John Donnelly, Jr. Above the entrance is the inscription “Equal Justice Under Law.” On the east side of the building, there are several sculptures of famous lawgivers by Hermon MacNeil. These include Confucius, Moses and Solomon. The east façade bears the inscription “Justice, the Guardian of Liberty.”

Inside the building, visitors can tour the Great Hall. It features busts of former chief justices and friezes depicting heraldic devices and profiles of famous lawgivers. The most famous is the 1883 bust depiction of John Marshall by William Wetmore Story. It stood on the west lawn of the Capitol until it was relocated in 1981. You can also see two five-story self-supporting bronze and marble staircases. The Court Chamber features 24 imported Italian marble columns as well as sculpted marble panels of famous lawgivers and legal themes.

Seating during oral arguments and other proceedings in the courtroom are available to a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Various lectures, films and court-related exhibits are offered throughout the day. Docents present lectures about the courtroom that last approximately 30 minutes. The lectures start at the bottom of the hour when the court is not in session.

Know Before You Go

The Supreme Court Building is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with the exception of federal holidays. It is closed Saturdays and Sundays. Portions of the building may be cordoned off when Court is in session. Visitors pass through security and enter the building from the plaza located beside the main steps. Admission is free of charge. The largest crowds gather from March through June . Because the building contains working offices, visitors are asked to tour as quietly as possible. Video and still photography are prohibited. Eating and drinking are only allowed in the cafeteria. The closest Metro stops are Capitol South on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines and Union Station on the Red line

Attractions Nearby

Library of Congress

Featured in scenes of the film “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” the Library of Congress is the oldest cultural institution in America. You can take a one-hour docent-led guided tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building to learn about the building’s art and architecture. The narration also includes information about the Library’s history and collection as well.

U.S. Capitol

A symbol of American democracy across the globe, the U.S. Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive buildings in the country. During public tours, visitors can learn about its history as well as view the Rotunda and the Crypt along with sculptures, paintings and other works of art.

Upper and Lower Senate Park

Adjacent to the north portico of the Capitol, Upper and Lower Senate Parks feature landscaped gardens, a reflecting pool and fountains. You can enjoy shade tree-lined pathways, memorials and the historic Summerhouse.

DC Old Town Trolley Tour

Old Town Trolley is a convenient way to explore the Supreme Court while maximizing your vacation time. Upon this lofty perch sits the iconic marble facade where the most important legal decisions in the United States are made. Find the lowest price packages by purchasing tickets direct through our website.

What can visitors expect to see during a tour of the U.S. Supreme Court?

During a tour of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC, visitors can marvel at the grandeur of its neoclassical architecture and explore the rich tapestry of American legal history. The tour includes viewing the courtroom where landmark decisions are made, exhibitions detailing the Court’s role in shaping the nation, and portraits and busts of past justices. Guests may also have the chance to attend a lecture in the courtroom, offering deep insights into the judicial process. This visit promises an enlightening experience into America’s highest court.

How long does a tour of the U.S. Supreme Court typically last?

A typical tour of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, covering historic courtrooms and exhibits, and offering a deep dive into America’s judicial system.

Can visitors tour the interior of the U.S. Supreme Court building?

Yes, visitors can tour the interior of the U.S. Supreme Court Building . Guided tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, offering insights into the judicial functions, the architecture, and the history of the Court. It’s a unique opportunity to explore the heart of U.S. justice.

Are kids allowed on tours of the U.S. Supreme Court?

Yes, kids are generally allowed on tours of the U.S. Supreme Court. However, due to the formal nature and length of the Court sessions, it’s not recommended for infants or very young children who might get restless or disruptive.

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Supreme Court of the United States

The U.S. Supreme Court is the final appellate court of the U.S. judicial system. It has the power to review and overturn the decisions of lower courts. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction (being the first and final court to hear a case) in certain cases involving public officials, ambassadors, or disputes between states.

Phone number

• 1-202-479-3000
• 1-202-479-3030 (visitor information)

1-202-479-3472

Main address

Have a question.

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

U.S. Supreme Court Tours and Information

U.S. Supreme Court Tours

Please note that the Supreme Court is currently closed to the public.

What do you need to know? Building Hours & Entrances Monday – Friday (except Federal Holidays) 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday Visitors may enter the building from the Plaza doors located on each side of the main steps. A wheelchair accessible ramp is located along Maryland Avenue on the left side of the building. All visitors must pass through security screening before entering the building. During the months of March – June, visitors should anticipate longer wait times to enter the building due to larger crowds visiting the Nation's Capital. Location and Directions The Supreme Court of the United States is located on First Street NE between East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue, adjacent to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress. View area map. By Metro (Subway): The closest Metro stops are: Capitol South (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines, 0.3 miles) Union Station (Red Line, 0.5 miles). By Metro Bus: The Circulator (Navy Yard Line), 96, 97, and A11 buses all stop in front of the Supreme Court Building. The 32, 34, 36, and 39 buses stop at First Street and Independence Avenue, a two block walk from the Building. Additional information on riding the Metro is available at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. By Train: Amtrak, VRE, and MARC trains service Union Station, which is located approximately 0.5 miles from the Court. By Car: Street parking is extremely limited near the Supreme Court. The closest public parking garage is located at Union Station. Please note that the Supreme Court is not accessible by private bus or passenger van. Please see designated bus routes and restrictions. Cafeteria, Gift Shop, and Building Amenities A Cafeteria serving a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and beverages is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A Gift Shop is located on the Ground Floor and is open from 9 a.m. until 4:25 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Gift Shop features extensive offerings of books and other instructive materials to enhance your understanding of the Court's history. Other offerings include educational games, learning aids, and gift items associated with the law and the Supreme Court. For your convenience, an ATM, public telephone (TTY/TDD), and vending machines are available on the Ground Floor. Public restrooms are located on the First and Ground Floors. Visitor Etiquette The Supreme Court is the highest court in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or laws of the United States; therefore, visitors are asked to follow a few general guidelines. • Be prepared to pass through security screening at your point of entry. All items must be screened in x-ray machines and all visitors will be asked to pass through metal detectors. • Please tour the building quietly as working offices are adjacent to all public halls. Any visitors unable to maintain proper decorum will be asked to leave by the Supreme Court Police. • No photography or video recording is permitted inside the Courtroom. • Smoking is prohibited inside the building. • Consumption of food and beverages is permitted only in the Cafeteria and vending machine alcove. • Visitors may not touch portraits, busts, or other artifacts on exhibition. Accessibility Building Access and Parking Ramp access to the building is located along Maryland Avenue on the left side of the building. Limited handicap parking is also available along Maryland Avenue. Wheelchair Availability and Access A limited number of wheelchairs are available free of charge at your point of entry. Wheelchairs may be obtained from a Supreme Court Police Officer. Elevators are available throughout the building with access to all public areas. Assistive Listening Devices When Court is sitting, induction loop, FM and infra-red listening systems for the hearing impaired are available. Devices may be obtained from a Supreme Court Police Officer or Courtroom Attendant as you are being seated. Visitors' Film The film is accompanied by open captioning at each showing. TTY Telephone A wheelchair accessible, text telephone (TTY) is available in the vending machine alcove adjacent to the Maryland Avenue door. How do I get scheduled for a tour? Click here to vist the the Supreme Court website.

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About the Supreme Court

Supreme court background.

Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary. Article III, Section I states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organize it. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789. This Act created a Supreme Court with six justices. It also established the lower federal court system.

The Justices

Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. Shortly after the Civil War, the number of seats on the Court was fixed at nine. Today, there is one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Like all federal judges, justices are appointed by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. They, typically, hold office for life. The salaries of the justices cannot be decreased during their term of office. These restrictions are meant to protect the independence of the judiciary from the political branches of government.

The Court's Jurisdiction

Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction (legal ability to hear a case) of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction (a case is tried before the Court) over certain cases, e.g., suits between two or more states and/or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court has appellate jurisdiction (the Court can hear the case on appeal) on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. Some examples include cases to which the United States is a party, cases involving Treaties, and cases involving ships on the high seas and navigable waterways (admiralty cases).

When exercising its appellate jurisdiction, the Court, with a few exceptions, does not have to hear a case. The Certiorari Act of 1925 gives the Court the discretion to decide whether or not to do so. In a petition for a writ of certiorari, a party asks the Court to review its case. The Supreme Court agrees to hear about 100-150 of the more than 7,000 cases that it is asked to review each year.

Judicial Review

The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself. The Court established this doctrine in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

In this case, the Court had to decide whether an Act of Congress or the Constitution was the supreme law of the land. The Judiciary Act of 1789 gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law). A suit was brought under this Act, but the Supreme Court noted that the Constitution did not permit the Court to have original jurisdiction in this matter. Since Article VI of the Constitution establishes the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land, the Court held that an Act of Congress that is contrary to the Constitution could not stand. In subsequent cases, the Court also established its authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.

Before the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment (1869), the provisions of the Bill of Rights were only applicable to the federal government. After the Amendment's passage, the Supreme Court began ruling that most of its provisions were applicable to the states as well. Therefore, the Court has the final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated.

The Supreme Court plays a very important role in our constitutional system of government. First, as the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those looking for justice. Second, due to its power of judicial review, it plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its own power. Third, it protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. Finally, it sets appropriate limits on democratic government by ensuring that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm and/or take undue advantage of unpopular minorities. In essence, it serves to ensure that the changing views of a majority do not undermine the fundamental values common to all Americans, i.e., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and due process of law.

The decisions of the Supreme Court have an important impact on society at large, not just on lawyers and judges. The decisions of the Court have a profound impact on high school students. In fact, several landmark cases decided by the Court have involved students, e.g., Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969) held that students could not be punished for wearing black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. In the Tinker case, the Court held that "students do not shed their rights at the schoolhouse gate."

DISCLAIMER: These resources are created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for educational purposes only. They may not reflect the current state of the law, and are not intended to provide legal advice, guidance on litigation, or commentary on any pending case or legislation.

Live, Virtual Capitol Tour

Join one of our knowledgeable guides for a live, virtual tour of the Capitol. The tour includes the Crypt, Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, the Old Supreme Court Chamber, and the Old Senate Chamber. The tour will have live video and audio with time for questions and answers.

These online tours are available upon request by emailing [email protected] . Tours are 45-60 minutes, including time for questions and answers. Tour participation requires a device that plays sound and video. Participants will not be on camera and will submit questions via the chat feature.

To request an accommodation to participate in a Virtual Capitol Tour, please email your request to  [email protected]   at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour.

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Conservative German Princess Says She Hosted Justice Alito at Her Castle

Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis said Justice Alito and his wife were guests at St. Emmeram Palace for a summer music festival. She called the couple her “friends” and the justice “a hero.”

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By Abbie VanSickle and Philip Kaleta

Reporting from Washington

An eccentric German princess who evolved from a 1980s punk style icon to a conservative Catholic known for hobnobbing with far-right figures said on Monday that she hosted Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and his wife at her castle during a July 2023 music festival.

Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis also told The New York Times that she viewed the justice as “a hero.”

“He is pro-life in a time where the majority follows the culture of death,” she wrote in a text exchange with The Times. She then typed a skull emoji, adding, “Christians believe in life. The Zeitgeist is nihilistic and believes in destruction.”

The 64-year-old princess said that Justice Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann , are her “friends” and that after her castle festivities, the three attended the opening of the Bayreuth Festival , the world’s premier venue for the performance of Wagner’s operas.

The details of the princess’s gift and the justice’s travels emerged after Justice Alito listed a $900 gift of concert tickets on his annual financial disclosure form , which was released late last week. The disclosure has prompted a new round of scrutiny of the justices, who have been in the spotlight after a series of revelations that some of them — most notably Justice Clarence Thomas — failed to report lavish gifts and travel from wealthy benefactors.

Justice Alito was the focus of a ProPublica report for failing to disclose a private jet flight paid for by a conservative billionaire who later had cases before the court. The jet trip was part of a luxury salmon-fishing vacation. Justice Alito, in an opinion column in The Wall Street Journal before the article was published, maintained that he did not have a conflict in accepting the “hospitality” and that he was not obligated to disclose the trip.

Justice Alito has also been the focus of attention in recent months after The Times revealed that provocative flags flew outside the Alitos’ properties. Those included an upside-down American flag that Trump loyalists had adopted to challenge President Biden’s 2020 electoral win flying outside the justice’s residence in the weeks after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Last summer, an “Appeal to Heaven” flag , which had been carried by Jan. 6 rioters and is now a symbol for a more Christian-minded government, was on display at the justice’s beach house.

Princess Gloria, who was once nicknamed “Princess TNT” for her explosive personality, has in recent years courted controversy in both the United States and Europe as a central figure among traditionalist Roman Catholics opposed to Pope Francis. Her 500-room Bavarian castle in Regensburg, St. Emmeram Palace , home to an annual music festival, has also been floated by the longtime Trump ally Stephen K. Bannon as a potential “Gladiator School” for the theological and media training of traditionalist conservative Catholics hostile to Francis.

Princess Gloria did not respond to other questions posed to her, including how long she has known the justice and his wife, whether she paid for other parts of the Alitos’ travel, including transportation, and whether she has given the justice other gifts in the past.

Justice Alito did not respond to requests for comment.

More details have emerged about the justice’s trip to the princess’s castle, including an interview with him by Christian Eckl, the editor in chief of a newspaper in Regensburg, who recognized the justice from reporting in The Times about the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Justice Alito wrote the majority opinion in the case.)

In the 32-second video, Justice Alito, with a beard and wearing a dark pinstriped blazer, spoke to an off-camera interviewer. The justice said the castle, seen in the background, was “amazing” and that he was looking forward to going to the Bayreuth Festival to see Wagner’s operas.

“I will enjoy it,” Justice Alito said. “A friend of mine has waited his whole life to get tickets to go, and so it’s quite a privilege to be able to go.”

Justice Alito did not say in the video which friend he was referring to, and he did not disclose any additional names on his annual financial form.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. spoke to a local reporter in July 2023 at the castle of a conservative German princess, who invited the justice and his wife to a summer music festival.

Reporter: “Do you like Regensburg, too?” – “I love it, yes.” – “You love it?” “We had a chance to look around a little bit today, and we will do some more later. It’s a beautiful, historic city.” – “And the castle, too?” – “Pardon me?” “The castle, too? The castle here?” “Yes, it’s amazing.” “OK. And you go to Bayreuth, the princess told me. And that you’re going to enjoy Wagner?” “I will enjoy it. I know a friend of mine who’s waited his whole life to get tickets to go there, so it’s quite a privilege to be able to go.” “His whole life?” [laughs] “OK. So, thanks a lot.”

Mr. Eckl, who also spoke with the princess about her gift to the justice, described the festival as a mixture of classical music, jazz and rock. He said Elton John had performed there in a previous year.

A schedule for the July 2023 festival in Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site built during the Roman Empire, featured an eclectic lineup, including a performance of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute,” a children’s musical about “Germany’s most famous and cheeky little witch,” a Michael Jackson tribute show and an act called the “Earth, Wind & Fire Experience.”

Mr. Eckl also described controversies around the festival because the princess had invited “many right-wing guests.”

Julie Tate contributed research.

Abbie VanSickle covers the United States Supreme Court for The Times. She is a lawyer and has an extensive background in investigative reporting. More about Abbie VanSickle

7 big issues at stake in the 2024 election

WASHINGTON — The policy contrasts between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are sharpening as the general election campaign gets fully underway.

But what does the choice represent for ordinary voters and the economic and cultural issues they care about? A rematch between the Democratic incumbent and his Republican predecessor may feel uninspiring to many voters, but the policy stakes are enormous for tens of millions of Americans — and the world.

Here are seven big issues at stake in the 2024 election.

The contrast: Biden favors federal abortion protections; Trump opposes them. Trump supported nationwide restrictions on abortion as president but now downplays the need for a federal ban, as Republicans are divided over the issue. Biden does not support federal limits.

Biden has championed the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill to protect abortion rights in all 50 states under federal law and prohibit medically unnecessary hurdles to accessing the procedure. He has asked voters to send him a Democratic Congress that supports legal abortion to achieve that.

Trump has boasted that he "broke Roe v. Wade" by picking three of the five Supreme Court justices who overturned it, delivering on a four-decade goal of the GOP. More recently, Trump has openly fretted that the backlash may cost him and his party the election. Last week, Trump said the issue should be left to states, a shift from his support for nationwide restrictions when he was president. His new stance has drawn pushback from GOP allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina , and anti-abortion-rights advocates, who say that he is wrong and that Republicans should not be deterred from their long-standing goal of enacting some nationwide abortion limits.

Some Republicans downplay the prospects of federal abortion restrictions’ passing Congress, even if they win full control. Biden and his allies are telling voters to look at the GOP’s long history of championing federal restrictions and not their recent rhetoric.

Immigration

The contrast: Trump has promised a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration and tougher executive actions; Biden is asking Congress to give him more tools to manage an overwhelmed border and create new legal pathways to immigrate to the U.S.

Trump has called existing border laws an existential threat to the U.S., saying migrants are “ poisoning the blood of our country” and bringing new “ languages .” His campaign website says: “President Trump will shut down Biden’s border disaster. He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico , and eliminate asylum fraud. In cooperative states, President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals.”

After having rescinded some of Trump's policies, Biden has recently shifted to support stricter immigration laws as the system remains overwhelmed. He championed a bipartisan bill to raise the bar for gaining asylum, grant more U.S. resources to process asylum claims and turn away migrants who do not qualify, and empower the president to temporarily shut down the border if migration levels hit certain triggers. (Republicans blocked the bill in the Senate amid lobbying by Trump , who wants to use the border as an election issue.) Biden has also endorsed the U.S. Citizenship Act , which would grant a pathway to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally if they pass background checks and pay their taxes.

Fundamentally, Trump has aligned with forces who want less immigration into the country, while Biden has embraced the belief that immigrants make the U.S. better.

Health care and prescription drugs

The contrast: Biden wants to extend Affordable Care Act provisions and empower Medicare to negotiate more prescription drugs; Trump has aggressively criticized the ACA but not offered a health care plan.

Biden, who was vice president when the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, sees it as a cherished achievement to protect and strengthen. The law, also known as "Obamacare," which has extended coverage to 45 million people through subsidies, insurance mandates and a Medicaid expansion, continues to face conservative opposition.

Separately, Biden has touted a provision in his party-line Inflation Reduction Act that empowers Medicare to negotiate lower prices for 10 prescription drugs. He said he wants to boost that to 50 if he is re-elected, with the goal of $200 billion in savings.

Trump spent his four years as president fighting unsuccessfully to repeal and unravel the law — through legislation and executive action and endorsing lawsuits to wipe it out. In November, Trump called for revisiting plans to "terminate" the ACA . He has recently sought to downplay that and insists he only wants to improve the law. But he has not offered a health care plan. Many of his GOP allies in Congress still favor repealing or undoing the ACA, including a budget by the Republican Study Committee, which boasts about 80% of the House GOP conference as members, including Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana.

The contrast: Trump's 2017 tax cuts expire at the end of next year, and he has called for extending them; Biden has called for raising taxes on families earning over $400,000 to fund various priorities.

A series of Trump tax cuts, which Republicans passed on a party-line basis in 2017, expire at the end of 2025. Congress and the winner of the election will decide what happens to them.

In a recent private speech to wealthy donors, Trump s aid his policies include "extending the Trump tax cuts" if he is elected, according to a Trump campaign official. That would preserve lower rates across the income spectrum, with the biggest benefits for top earners.

Biden has attacked that law as a giveaway to the wealthiest Americans, vowing to make "big corporations and the very wealthy finally pay their fair share." He has backed a corporate tax rate hike from 21% to 28% and said that "nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in federal taxes." Biden is also calling for a $3,600-per-child tax cut for families, an $800 average tax break for "front-line workers" and a 25% minimum tax on billionaires, according to a newly released campaign plank.

The expiration of the Trump tax cuts will restore the unlimited federal deduction for state and local taxes, which Republicans had capped at $10,000 in the 2017 law. Republicans broadly support preserving the cap, with some exceptions, while most Democrats want to lift it.

Judges and the Supreme Court

The contrast: Their track records tell a clear story. Trump has picked young conservative judges to serve on the federal bench, while Biden has picked liberals with a focus on professional and personal diversity.

One of the clearest contrasts is what kinds of judges Trump and Biden would pick for lifetime appointments on the federal courts. A simple way for voters to think about it is whether they prefer new judges with the conservative views of Justice Neil Gorsuch, Trump's first Supreme Court pick, or with the liberal views of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's (so far only) high court pick.

As president, Trump nominated young conservative judges who will serve for generations. Biden has focused on finding judges with diverse backgrounds and résumés, including more civil rights lawyers and public defenders.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether a Supreme Court vacancy will open up in the next four years. The presidential election winner and the party that controls the Senate would fill it.

The contrast: Trump is pushing a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports; Biden's White House opposes that, saying it would raise inflation.

Trump, long a skeptic of U.S. trade deals, has proposed to impose a 10% tariff on all imported goods if he returns to the White House. He recently told Fox News that it could be 60% — or potentially “more than that” — on imports of Chinese goods.

Biden opposes that idea. In a memo over the weekend, the White House slammed the idea of "across-the-board tariffs that would raise taxes and prices by $1,500 per American family," without naming Trump; it referred to an estimate by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, that Trump's 10% tax on imports could cost an average American household $1,500 per year.

Biden, instead, has sought to boost domestic manufacturing with major federal investments in semiconductors and electric vehicles.

Foreign policy and NATO

The contrast: Biden favors Ukraine aid, while Trump is skeptical of it; Biden supports NATO and a traditional view of American power, while Trump has criticized NATO and voiced some isolationist views.

The clearest example of the foreign policy differences between the two concerns the fate of Ukraine, which is running low on ammunition and says it needs U.S. assistance to continue holding off Russia’s aggression. Biden is an ardent proponent of helping Ukraine, while Trump has poured cold water on U.S. aid to Ukraine and successfully pressured House Republicans to block it since they took the majority in January 2023.

And that points to a deeper divide: Biden is an outspoken supporter of the NATO alliance as a bulwark against adversaries like Russia and China and of preserving the post-World War II order. Trump has dialed up his criticisms of NATO and aligned with a growing isolationist wing in the U.S. that wants to be less involved in global affairs. Trump recently said that as president, he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to member countries who are “delinquent” in their dues.

Sahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

Liberal justices say Trump immunity decision ‘will have disastrous consequences' for the US

The supreme court ruled that the former president has some immunity from prosecution in his federal election interference case, further delaying the trial, by rebecca shabad | nbc news • published july 1, 2024 • updated on july 1, 2024 at 12:54 pm.

The Supreme Court's liberal bloc issued blistering dissents Monday in the  Trump immunity ruling , arguing that it "reshapes the institution of the presidency" and "makes a mockery" of the constitutional principle that no man is above the law.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, reading her dissent from the bench, said that "relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom ... the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more."

She added that "because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent."

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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3  on ideological lines that former President Donald Trump has immunity for some of his conduct as president but not unofficial acts in the federal election interference case. The court did not determine what constitutes an "official" act in this case, leaving that to the lower court.

The decision adds another hurdle and further delay to special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution of the former president.  Trump was indicted last year  on charges he conspired to "overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election."

Sotomayor said that the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, invents "an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law."

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Their ruling, she went on, makes three moves that she said "completely insulate Presidents from criminal liability." Sotomayor said the court creates absolute immunity for the president's exercise of "core constitutional powers," creates "expansive immunity for all 'official acts,'" and "declares that evidence concerning acts for which the President is immune can play no role in any criminal prosecution against him."

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Sotomayor warned that the ruling "will have disastrous consequences for the Presidency and for our democracy" and that it sends the message: “Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends.”

She added, “Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in a concurring opinion that she agreed with some of the majority opinion but not all of it. Notably, she said she agreed with the dissenters that Trump’s immune conduct should still be allowed to be used as evidence in his trial.

“The Constitution does not require blinding juries to the circumstances surrounding conduct for which Presidents can be held liable,” she said.

In her own written dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that the majority's ruling "breaks new and dangerous ground."

"Departing from the traditional model of individual accountability, the majority has concocted something entirely different: a Presidential accountability model that creates immunity—an exemption from criminal law — applicable only to the most powerful official in our Government," she wrote.

Jackson warned that under the majority's "new Presidential accountability mode," a hypothetical president "who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or critics...or one who indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup...has a fair shot at getting immunity."

The chief justice dismissed the dissents, suggesting that his three liberal colleagues had misinterpreted the majority's opinion and were engaging in "fear mongering." Roberts argued that they "strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today." He wrote that "like everyone else, the President is subject to prosecution in his unofficial capacity."

He also appeared to scoff at Sotomayor for what she included in her dissent, saying that her "most compelling piece of evidence consists of excerpted statements of Charles Pinckney from an 1800 Senate debate." He continued, "But those statements reflect only the now-discredited argument that any immunity not expressly mentioned in the Constitution must not exist."

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in a concurring opinion that she agreed with some of the majority opinion but not all of it. Notably, she said she agreed with Sotomayor that Trump’s immune conduct should still be allowed to be used as evidence in his trial.

Soon after the court issued the ruling, Trump celebrated the decision on his Truth Social account, writing in all caps: "Big win for our Constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!"

A Biden campaign adviser, on the other hand, said that the ruling doesn't change what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election," the adviser said. "Trump is already running for president as a convicted felon for the very same reason he sat idly by while the mob violently attacked the Capitol: he thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself."

This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:

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