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U.S. SUPREME COURT
Leak Report Further Weakens Court
Another reason to question a court losing public support
Who leaked to Politico the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft opinion ending a federal right to abortion was never as intriguing as why it was done. It was either a warning by someone who opposed the decision or a move by one who wanted to derail the chief justice’s efforts to temper such an extreme ruling.
What is much more troubling is the court’s admission Thursday in a 20-page report that the leaker is still unknown after an investigation that began in May. One thing for certain, the report said, is the leak was not the result of a computer hack.
The court’s marshal, Gail A. Curley, reported that 100 employees were interviewed, with many signing sworn statements. Some did admit telling spouses or partners about the 5–4 decision to roll back the nearly 50-year-old right.
The marshal later clarified that the nine justices were interviewed, though they were not required to sign sworn statements. It is not clear whether their spouses were interviewed, including right-wing activist Ginni Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas.
It’s reasonable to question the lack of an independent investigator or whether the court really wants to expose the…
