"“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. “I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don't think is an accurate understanding of what we do.”"
"Roberts didn't reference any specific decisions in his remarks, but said the court is “simply not part of the political process.” Opinions, he said, are based on the Constitution - though he acknowledged disagreement with some outcomes. “One thing we have to do is make decisions that are unpopular,” he said."
"Criticism, he said, should focus on rulings rather than personal attacks. He condemned the targeting of lower-court judges, a sentiment he's repeated amid rising threats to the judiciary. “That's not appropriate and it can lead to very serious problems,” he said."
"The high court struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, finding it was an unconstitutional gerrymander based on race. The decision weakened the Civil Rights era law that has increased minority representation in Congress, and it opened the door for more redistricting across the country that could aid Republican efforts to control the House."
Chief Justice John Roberts said Supreme Court justices are not political actors and that decisions are grounded in the Constitution and law. He responded to public perceptions that the Court makes policy choices rather than applying legal requirements. He acknowledged that some decisions will be unpopular and emphasized the need to make such decisions when required. Roberts urged criticism to focus on court rulings instead of personal attacks, warning that targeting judges is inappropriate and can create serious problems. His remarks came amid low public confidence and after a Voting Rights Act decision that weakened the law by striking down a race-based congressional district as an unconstitutional gerrymander. He also referenced broader recent rulings affecting abortion rights, gun rights, and affirmative action.
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