In the U.S. government, what is the highest court?

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. government and serves as the ultimate authority on issues of constitutional interpretation and federal law. It has the power to overturn decisions made by lower courts and its rulings can have a significant impact on American law and society. Established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court consists of justices who are appointed for life, allowing for a stable judicial framework that can adapt to changing legal interpretations over time.

Unlike the District Court, which is a lower level trial court, and the Court of Appeals, which reviews decisions made by those trial courts, the Supreme Court has the final say. The Tax Court, while also a specialized court, deals specifically with tax-related issues and does not have the broad judicial authority that the Supreme Court possesses. Therefore, understanding the role and significance of the Supreme Court in the context of the entire judicial system reinforces why it is recognized as the apex of the judicial hierarchy in the United States.