Supreme Court Leak: A Groundbreaking Mess
The crack in America’s most respected institution was exposed today when a draft opinion that would flip the Roe v. Wade precedent went missing. The leak shakes the very foundation of the Court, now humming with a conservative majority eager to rewrite decades‑old law.
Why the Leak Matters
Historically, the Supreme Court was seen as the adult of politics, keepin’ its heads off partisan politics. But the latest scandal shows that the marble hallways are choked by pressure: transparency wanes, internal trust fractures, and the chill of political bias creeps in.
Who’s in the Spotlight?
- Justice Clarence Thomas – Democrats accuse him of letting his wife, Ginni, guide him‑in‑the‑court with outspoken political reach, especially her flippant support of former President Donald Trump and his 2020 election conspiracy.
- Justice Neil Gorsuch – The only jurist to leave the courtroom nakedly mask‑free during the boom of Omicron, arousing questions about his compliance and the Court’s health protocols.
- Justice Stephen Breyer – A major liberal swing‑system who announced his planned retirement but slid through confirmation workouts, pissing off many liberals who expected a faster process.
Reactions from the Court and Beyond
Professor Carolyn Shapiro, a former Breyer clerk, told us that “every power shift is a sign of intense pressure on long‑standing norms.” Justice students pressure “The Court is very severely under pressure, as are the isolation norms of society, driven by political polarization.”
Chief Justice John Roberts said he investigates the leak privately, vowing that no one will “detrimentally undermine the Court’s privacy.” Professor Richard Garnett echoed his frustration for the leaker: “It’s TOTALLY disconcerting that someone on the Court could break the confidentiality rule.”
Cracks in the Collapse of Corruption
- Even in a House or Senate, leaks are “normal” in politics; however, the Court was expected to remain safe.
- The leaker’s identity is still unknown; only a handful of law clerks, staff and seats have access to drafts.
- Federal law may hold the leaker liable for theft of “property of value” to the government, Professor David Pozen cautions.
The Wider Landscape
The Court may be about to issue rulings not just on abortion but on gun rights, campus enrollment policies, and vaccine or test mandates. Republican leaders have been busy seizing wins: one of the first major changes was to allow private citizens to enforce Texas’ abort‑ban law.
Meanwhile liberals are still furious about the historical policy of letting conservatives fill the vacancies: Trump’s ‘wave’ of appointments and ties to President Joe Biden and his political agenda.
Conclusion
With the republic’s eyes on the Court’s next decisions, the leak also reminds us that even the longest‑established institutions are not immune to the political razor blade that trims away the old‑world humility and rebellion of justice.
