Sonia Sotomayor was officially seated as a Supreme Court justice today, in a ceremony attended by President Obama and Vice-President Biden. She was administered the judicial oath by Chief Justice John Roberts (pictured here with Sotomayor in front of the courthouse), and duly took her seat at the far right of the bench. The seating is ordered by seniority, and since Sotomayor’s predecessor, David Souter, left this summer, four justices moved up a notch. This is probably a mixed blessing for Clarence Thomas, who is now sitting one spot closer to the center of the dais — where it’s easier to see whether he’s paying attention.
Sotomayor Takes Her Seat [Caucus/NYT]
