Roberts Defends Supreme Court Amid Questions About Partisanship
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Hershey, Pa. Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday that Supreme Court justices are not 'political actors,' insisting unpopular court decisions are based solely on the law rather than on policy. He told listeners that people often assume the justices are making policy choices when they are interpreting legal texts, and he rejected that conception as an inaccurate understanding of the court's role.
Hershey, Pa. Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday that Supreme Court justices are not 'political actors,' insisting unpopular court decisions are based solely on the law rather than on policy. He told listeners that people often assume the justices are making policy choices when they are interpreting legal texts, and he rejected that conception as an inaccurate understanding of the court's role.
Roberts said, 'I think, at a very basic level, people think we're making policy decisions, we're saying we think this is how things should be, as opposed to what the law provides,' and added, 'I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don't think is an accurate understanding of what we do.' He framed the court's work as application of law and declined to characterize the judiciary as a political body.
More context
Timeline
- 1. 2005: John Roberts is appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- 2. Last week: The Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais altering Section 2 redistricting standards (reported).
- 3. This week: Polling and commentary indicated declining public approval of the Supreme Court as an institution.
- 4. Wednesday (this week): Roberts spoke in Hershey, Pennsylvania, defending the Court against claims it is 'political actors.'
- 5. Immediate aftermath: Media coverage highlighted potential impacts on minority voting challenges and institutional trust.
Why it matters
The Supreme Court's decisions impact your rights and laws. If you feel the Court is too political, it might shake your trust in justice. Watch for the Court's next rulings. Are they based on law or policy?
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
