The inscrutable Chief Justice John Roberts

This article provides an in-depth look at the tenure of Chief Justice John Roberts, focusing particularly on his approach to maintaining the Supreme Court's institutional integrity and public trust. Here are some key points:

1. Roberts' Approach:

   • Roberts is known for his "umpire" philosophy, emphasizing that judges should call balls and strikes rather than making policy decisions.
   • He has largely avoided speaking about specific cases or individual justices publicly to maintain a neutral image.

2. Public Perception:

   • Despite Roberts’ efforts, the court's approval ratings have declined significantly since he took office in 2005.
   • The partisan divide in public opinion of the Supreme Court is stark, with Republicans and Democrats having vastly different views on its performance.

3. Court Dynamics:

   • Unanimous decisions were more common earlier in Roberts' tenure but have decreased over time.
   • While Roberts often votes with the conservative majority, he has occasionally broken ranks to support liberal positions, such as in cases involving LGBTQ rights and healthcare reform (e.g., Bostock v. Clayton County and National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius).

4. Criticism:

   • Some

Read the full article at SCOTUSblog

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