Media Ignored Chief Justice Roberts Warning on Other Branches Meddling with Judiciary

Joel Pollak at Breitbart reported Sunday that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts blasted attempts to exert “inappropriate political influence” in his year-end report for 2021, as President Biden and the Democrats have pondered proposals to expand or pack the Court with liberals.

“The Judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and co- equal branch of government,” Roberts said in the 2021 report. Roberts did not explicitly mention the court-packing talk, and the liberal media ignored it. T

hat’s funny — aren’t they the people who care the most about governing “norms”?

Rich Edson relayed it to Mike Emanuel, Fox’s substitute host. Special ReportDecember 31, 2008: 

Mike’s message is clear, as some recent court decisions have been heavily criticized. He wants to assert the independence of chief justice.

He wrote in his just-posted message, “The judiciary’s ability to manage its own internal affairs protects courts against inappropriate political influence. It is vital to preserve public trust in the work of its separate, coequal branch government.” Also at the same time, some Democrats want to expand seats on America’s highest court. 

The networks weren’t the only ones going dark. The Washington PostIt was not reported. The New York Times didn’t report it — but on that same day, they published former Supreme Court reporter Linda Greenhouse attacking the Court like the court-packers do. 

Roberts’ memo was not covered by the Associated Press. They did however leave out the part about inappropriate political influence. The focus of their coverage was on a newer newsworthy aspect.

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts says the federal judiciary needs to do more to ensure judges don’t participate in cases where they have financial conflicts of interest.

Roberts made the comments as part of his annual report on the federal judiciary released Friday evening.

Roberts mentioned a number of recent stories. The Wall Street Journal that found that “between 2010 and 2018, 131 federal judges participated in a total of 685 matters involving companies in which they or their families owned shares of stock.”

Roberts’s defection may result from a growing liberal hate of Roberts. Consider, for instance, the panel. All in with Chris HayesDecember 28th:

Chris Hayes names John Roberts, “the most successful reactionary politician of his time.”

Anand says that Roberts is the most well-known right-winger here because he invented a special art: how to punch a country in its groin and smile in its face. pic.twitter.com/5jdHsI0P4o

— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) January 4, 2022

ELIE MYSTAL John Roberts’ entire goal is to make the law work for the Republican agenda.It is not the same that he wants to break it, but this is his goal.

CHRIS HAYESSomeone called him the greatest reactionary politician his generation.To Elie’s point: I believe that this is true in many aspects because he was able to accomplish what he wanted and maintain his approval rating.

ANAND GIRIDHARADAS : Everything Elie said is correct. Not just because I am part of the three-member salt and pepper panel. But because it’s an exceptional case of image trumping reality, as well as for all of the reasons Elie outlined so eloquently.  Just to say that right-wingers are also important, I’ll just mention it. John Roberts, the right-winger most loved in America is because of his unique art. He can kick any country in the groin and smile in its face.