We are a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the judges say it is.
— Charles Evans Hughes (1907), Former SC justice
- Very political institution
- Operate by a clear set of rules
- They are the rulebook
- Decides on the constitutionality/lawfulness of actions of Legislative branch (Congress) + Executive branch
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Performs judicial review
- intepretations of the US Constitution
- can declare laws/executive actions as unconstitutional