Mark Sherman has been the AP’s top reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court for two decades, where he has seen oral arguments, interviewed justices and helmed coverage of the high court’s most consequential decisions during that timeframe. That work has been part of a storied journalism career spanning five decades.
And so it’s somewhat fitting that, as the court closed its term on Tuesday, June 30, Sherman wraps up his 25-year AP career. As he retires, we asked Sherman to spend a little time with AP’s newsletter readers to reflect on some of what he’s witnessed as history unfolds at the judicial level.
Do you have any favorite court coverage memories?
We cover so much that is deadly serious and important that I liked looking for stories to highlight something human about the justices. Once, when Chief Justice Roberts wrote a dissent in a case involving police in a decidedly Raymond Chandleresque noir style, I decided to write my account of his opinion in the same voice. “The Supreme Court of the United States. Just after 10 o’clock. John Roberts was working his usual shift. Chief justice of the United States…”
I also dived into census records to look at the immigrant ancestors of the justices for the case about whether the Trump administration could add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. Where appropriate, I tried to have fun.
What are the most pivotal cases you’ve seen come through the court during your time?
The first Affordable Care Act case in 2012 stands out, a bitterly divided 5-4 ruling upholding the biggest expansion of the social safety net in 45 years and the president’s signature domestic legislative achievement in the middle of his re-election campaign. Same-sex marriage, the end of Roe v. Wade and the presidential immunity decision in 2024 are among some other blockbusters I have covered.
What’s something surprising you learned about the court and its justices while on this beat?
Until security concerns intervened, the justices moved about town like the rest of us. You might see Justice Ginsburg at the theater, cross paths with Justice Thomas on his way to morning Mass, stand in line behind Justice Sotomayor at a weekend farmer’s market or bump into Justice Kagan in the supermarket. Until recently, they drove their own cars. Justice Scalia once got fined for his role in a minor fender-bender as he made his way to court for arguments.
Explore more of Sherman’s career covering the Supreme Court for AP.
