Why it matters: The comments come days after Vice President Kamala Harris called the Supreme Court “an activist court” that took away a “constitutional right” in Roe v. Wade. Details: Roberts said the court may face criticism, but “just because people disagree with opinions is no basis to question the legitimacy of the court,” CNN reports.
He said the Supreme Court is meant to interpret the US Constitution and should not bow to public opinion or political parties. “If the court doesn’t retain its legitimate function of interpreting the constitution, I’m not sure who would accept that mantle,” Roberts said, according to the Associated Press. “You don’t want the political branches telling you what the law is, and you don’t want public opinion to be the guide as to what the appropriate decision is,” Roberts said.
Roberts made the comments to judges at the 10th Circuit Bench and Bar Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, according to CNN. Judge Neil Gorsuch also attended the event. The big picture: The Supreme Court plans to reopen its oral arguments to the public after closing its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, Politico reports.
The next term, scheduled to begin on October 3, could be as controversial as this past term with possible decisions on religion and guns.
Go deeper: The Supreme Court’s next term could be just as controversial
