Samuel Alito Attends Texas Supreme Court Investiture in Austin

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito visited the Texas Capitol in Austin for a ceremonial swearing-in event for the state’s two newest Supreme Court justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. The ceremony brought together Gov. Greg Abbott, members of the Texas Supreme Court and retired federal judge Thomas Griffith inside the House Chamber at the Capitol.

Alito administered the oath of office to Hawkins, who previously clerked for him at the U.S. Supreme Court. Griffith swore in Sullivan, Abbott’s former general counsel and a longtime attorney in state government.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, left, poses for a photo with Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins and his family at an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin, Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administers the oath Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins at an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin, Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice James Sullivan, center, is sworn in by retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Griffith during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito speaks during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito speaks during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice James Sullivan puts on his robe after being sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito greets people during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins, middle, is congratulated by other Texas Supreme Court justices after being sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins waves to supporters after being sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, left, congratulates Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins before swearing him in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice James Sullivan smiles after being sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito speaks during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Gov. Greg Abbott, left, greets U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court justices stand during the investiture ceremony for new Supreme Court justices James Sullivan, far left, and Kyle Hawkins, far right, at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the investiture ceremony for Texas Supreme Court justices Kyle Hawkins and James Sullivan at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas Supreme Court Justice James Sullivan, center, is sworn in by retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Griffith during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, left, watches Texas Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hawkins put on his robe after being sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

May 7, 2026