Don’t believe anyone who tells you
the US Supreme Court is above politics.
America’s top bench has long
maintained the appearance of levitating above the partisan mire of Congress,
just across the road on Capitol Hill. But look no further than the presidency
of Franklin Roosevelt or the 2000 recount decision that handed the White House
to George W. Bush for evidence that the court has Beltway fever.
The current chief justice, John
Roberts, has tried to insulate his marble-pillared temple of the law from
Washington’s political tempests, but clouds are gathering as it considers a controversial
Louisiana abortion case: On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
issued a public warning to two justices -- Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch --
about how they might decide. "You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't
know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,"
the New York Democrat said.
In a rare statement, Roberts rebuked
the senator that afternoon. "Justices know that criticism comes with the
territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of
government are not only inappropriate, but they are also dangerous,” he said in their
defense. “All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear
or favor, from whatever quarter."
The problem with getting into a
slanging match with a politician is they want the last word. Schumer's
spokesman quickly responded, accusing Roberts of failing to pipe up last week
on behalf of liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg when US
President Donald Trump ridiculously called for them to recuse themselves from
cases involving his administration.
The Schumer v. Roberts spat is
exactly the kind of imbroglio that Trump, a former reality-TV star, cannot
resist; he loves to tarnish any institution set up to rein in presidential
power. “This is a direct & dangerous threat to the US Supreme Court by
Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached.
Serious action MUST be taken NOW!" he tweeted hours later.
Pot, kettle, black.
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