Who is the current Chief Justice of the United States as of October 2023?

The current Chief Justice of the United States as of October 2023 is John Roberts. As Chief Justice, he plays a critical role in leading the Supreme Court and setting the agenda for its meetings. His responsibilities include presiding over oral arguments, deciding who writes the majority opinion in cases where he is in the majority, and representing the judicial branch in various official capacities. Roberts was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2005 and has served as Chief Justice since then, shaping many significant rulings and influencing the direction of the Court through his leadership and judicial philosophy.

In contrast, Clarence Thomas and Elena Kagan are associate justices, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away in 2020, had served as an associate justice until her death. Their roles and contributions to the Court, while important, do not include the specific responsibilities held by the Chief Justice.