A leaked memo from Chief Justice John Roberts reveals his disturbing eagerness to protect Donald Trump from accountability for his criminal actions. This memo, uncovered by The New York Times, uncovers Roberts’ clear intent to favor Trump by obstructing justice and manipulating legal proceedings.
In February, Roberts signaled his colleagues about his desire for the Supreme Court to quickly and decisively address Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. His memo, obtained by the Times, highlights a troubling bias: “I think it likely that we will view the separation of powers analysis differently,” Roberts stated, signaling his inclination to shield Trump from accountability.
Roberts’ involvement in Trump-related cases has been notably unusual and overtly partisan. His actions suggest a pattern of protecting Trump at the expense of justice, as seen in his handling of significant cases that directly benefited the former president. His influence in these cases has shocked even his fellow justices, transcending typical judicial conduct.
In March, Roberts played a pivotal role in a case regarding the authority of states to remove federal candidates from the ballot. He successfully convinced his fellow justices to issue an unsigned opinion, creating an illusion of consensus. Yet, Roberts’ intervention extended beyond this case. When conservatives proposed an extreme measure requiring congressional approval to enforce bans on insurrectionist candidates, Roberts pushed through his majority opinion despite resistance from justices across the spectrum.
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Moreover, Roberts’ control over the Supreme Court’s ruling on the January 6 Capitol rioters was marked by another scandalous move. He took over the case from Justice Samuel Alito—who had already been assigned the case—after the Times reported that Alito’s wife was seen promoting symbols associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement. While the connection between these events remains unclear, Roberts’ sudden assumption of the case raised eyebrows and suggested a deeper, unsettling bias.
The climax of Roberts’ protective measures came with the Supreme Court’s ruling granting Trump sweeping immunity for his actions as president. Despite pushback from justices including Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett, Roberts pushed the decision through, delivering a major legal victory to Trump. This ruling now complicates Judge Tanya Chutkan’s efforts to hold Trump accountable for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Roberts’ actions, now exposed through these leaked memos, reveal a disturbing trend among conservative justices to prioritize partisan interests over justice. His manipulation of the court’s proceedings underscores a troubling complicity in shielding Trump from the consequences of his criminal behavior.
