Elena Kagan has been sworn in as the 112th justice and the fourth woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Kagan, 50, a former Harvard Law School dean who was solicitor-general, was President Barack Obama's choice to succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens.
Republicans criticised her as a political liberal before the Senate confirmed her in a vote of 63-37.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from World
French police fatally shoot a man suspected of setting fire to a synagogue
Police in Rouen stop synagogue arson attempt, suspect killed.