Supreme Court Can Further Rule of Law With Latest Abortion Case

ChiefJusticeJohnRobertsfamouslytoldCongressduringhis2005confirmationhearing,“Judgesarelikeumpires.Umpiresdon’tmaketherules,theyapplythem.”Hepromisedthatifhewasconfirmed,hewould“rememberthatit’smyjobtocallballsandstrikes,andnottopitchorbat.” Atthetime,hewasexpressingaminorityviewofthecourts’properrole—includingamongjustices.However,inthe20yearssince,thatviewhasbecomedominant. Duringhisfirstterm,PresidentDonaldTrumpnominatedthreejusticeswhoarepartofamovement,spearheadedbytheFederalistSociety,thathastriedtomoveintothemainstreamRoberts’aspirationofjudgesapplyingrulesratherthanmakingthem.JusticeNeilGorsuch,JusticeBrettKavanaugh,andJusticeAmyConeyBarrett’sappointmentsbroughtthetotalnumberofjusticesontheSupremeCourtwithsuchtiestosix. Criticshavearguedthesejudgeshavehadaheavierhandinmakinglawsthantheyprofess. The6–3majorityhasproducedrulingsinseveral“culturewar”casesthathavecapturedattentionanddrawncriticism.