Chief Justice Roberts Laments Public Perception of US Supreme Court

Friday, May 08, 2026

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts expressed concern on Wednesday about the public perception of the Supreme Court as an institution driven primarily by political outcomes rather than the law at a time when some prominent voices have raised questions about the top U.S. judicial body's legitimacy.

Posted by jpw at 07:33 AM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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There is something deeply pathological about Chief Justice Roberts insisting the Supreme Court isn't political while sitting atop the most ideological supermajority in modern history.

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-- Andrew Weinstein (@andrewjweinstein.com) May 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM

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It's that whole "appearance of impropriety" thing, Chief.
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and votes like the gander that bought your vacation home, you may have more of an issue than what the public thinks.

#1 | Posted by morris at 2026-05-07 01:35 PM | Reply

The Court that undid the Voting Rights Act is racist?

That's a feature, not a bug.

#2 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-05-07 01:39 PM | Reply

... expressed concern on Wednesday about the public perception of the Supreme Court as an institution driven primarily by political outcomes rather than the law ...

Well then, maybe SCOTUS (i.e., the MAGA majority) should stop acting so politically?

MAGA has been injecting politics into every branch of government, why not SCOTUS?

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-05-07 02:11 PM | Reply

... the public perception of the Supreme Court as an institution driven primarily by ~~political outcomes~~ Trump rather than the law ...

Actions have consequences, Roberts.

#4 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-05-07 02:15 PM | Reply

Republican Justices getting tens of millions of dollars in "gifts" from people benefitting directly from their rulings?

Republican Justices ignoring the Constitution, stare decisis, and Statutes?

Who could have guessed it would tarnish their reputation?

#5 | Posted by Sycophant at 2026-05-07 02:35 PM | Reply

"For gold the hireling judge distorts the laws ... ."
Samuel Johnson, "The Vanity of Human Wishes" (1749)

#6 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-05-07 04:46 PM | Reply

The court that gave Trump immunity for his crimes might be perceived as being driven by political outcomes?

#7 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2026-05-07 06:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

We're perceiving it exactly right, and that's what he's pissed about.

#8 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-05-07 07:50 PM | Reply

Everyone thinks he's tainted.

#9 | Posted by fresno500 at 2026-05-08 12:18 AM | Reply

Don't believe your lying eyes or your lying ears. Isn't that right Chief Justice Roberts?

But didn't you leave out "Trump uber alles" or is that just the read between the lines part of your BS statement.

#10 | Posted by Hickory at 2026-05-08 08:17 AM | Reply