Law professor Michael Schwartz on Amy Coney Barrett

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the newest member of the United States Supreme Court who was appointed by former president Donald Trump, was expected to establish a 6-3 conservative majority.

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However, she may be more aligned with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the center...

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...than she is with her other conservative colleagues on the right wing of the Court, Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch.

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Barrett is showing herself to be a moderate who prefers small movements in the law, not huge shifts. For example, she joined the liberal wing of the Court to save the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare.

Roberts, the Chief Justice, is viewed as an institutionalist who wants to conserve the public’s confidence in the Court. So far, he favors incremental shifts in the law. He recently gained an ally in Kavanaugh in this pursuit, and it appears Barrett may join their ranks.

However, the big test for Justice Barrett will be next term starting in October when the Court will consider hot-button issues like gun control, abortion, and affirmative action. So, stay tuned!