Chief Justice John Roberts addressed the audience in Hershey, Pennsylvania, emphasizing that the Court’s role is to interpret the Constitution, not to make policy. “I think, at a very basic level, people think we’re making policy decisions, we’re saying we think this is how things should be, as opposed to what the law provides,” he said. He added, “I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don’t think is an accurate understanding of what we do.” Roberts also acknowledged that “one thing we have to do is make decisions that are unpopular,” underscoring the separation between judicial reasoning and political preference.
Roberts’ remarks arrived amid a wave of controversial rulings by the conservative‑majority Court, including the recent decision that nullified a majority‑Black congressional district in Louisiana. The decision was described as hollowing out the Voting Rights Act, a cornerstone of civil‑rights legislation that has historically bolstered minority representation in Congress. Legal analysts said the ruling could open the door for more aggressive partisan redistricting across the country.
In addition to the voting‑rights case, the Court has issued landmark decisions overturning federal abortion rights, expanding gun ownership protections, and ending affirmative‑action policies in higher education. These rulings have fueled criticism that the Court is advancing a partisan agenda, a charge the justices have repeatedly denied.
Roberts also warned that personal attacks on judges are “not appropriate and can lead to very serious problems.” He referenced ongoing threats to the judiciary and highlighted the importance of respecting the courts’ institutional integrity. Former President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Roberts and other justices for decisions he opposed, was among the political figures mentioned in media coverage of the Court’s recent activity.