The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It serves as the ultimate appellate court, with the authority to review decisions made by lower federal courts and state courts when federal law or the U.S. Constitution is in question. The Court also has original jurisdiction in a limited set of cases, such as disputes between states or cases involving ambassadors
. Established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution and organized by Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court currently consists of nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving lifetime terms unless they retire, resign, or are removed
. The Court's primary role is to interpret the Constitution and federal law, ensuring laws and executive actions comply with constitutional principles. It has the power of judicial review, established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803), allowing it to invalidate laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution
. The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions annually but selects only a small number of cases to hear, focusing on those with significant constitutional or federal legal questions. It meets in the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., and its decisions are binding on all other U.S. courts
. In summary, the United States Supreme Court is the nation’s highest judicial authority, tasked with safeguarding the Constitution and ensuring uniform interpretation of federal law across the country
