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Today in History: John Roberts first 20-year Chief Justice

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 10:32 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

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On September 29 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John G. Roberts Jr. as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States. Roberts assumed the bench that day, becoming the first chief justice to reach a twenty-year tenure since Melville W. Fuller left office in 1908, and his moderate-conservative outlook began steering the Court toward a conservative shift.

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Story summary

On September 29 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John G. Roberts Jr. as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States. Roberts assumed the bench that day, becoming the first chief justice to reach a twenty-year tenure since Melville W. Fuller left office in 1908, and his moderate-conservative outlook began steering the Court toward a conservative shift.