John Roberts warns against defying courts before MAGA returns to power
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public rebuke to conservative colleagues on Friday, warning against defying the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act, just days before the midterm elections.
Roberts issued the statement while denying a petition to rehear the case, which had demanded to strike down the entire act, in an unusual step. This rare move is seen as a major blow to Republicans who had been seeking to gut the healthcare law, a key achievement of the Obama administration.
Roberts’ statement became a stark warning to his fellow justices against pursuing any action that could undermine the court’s legitimacy, which some believed was at stake.
“While it is true that the Constitution and the history of this Court support the proposition that Congress has the power to enact legislation addressing national health care, it is essential at this point for the Court to speak clearly and promptly, so that the implications of this provision of the Affordable Care Act can be accurately assessed,” Roberts wrote in his opinion.
Roberts, often seen as a swing vote on the court, further emphasized the need for the court to maintain its reputation as an independent and impartial arbiter of the law, saying that defying the court’s ruling would be “a repudiation of the legitimacy of the Court.”
The Chief Justice also highlighted that the Court is not a majority or a collective dictatorship, but rather a institution of checks and balances, where each member must abide by the rule of law. He stressed that the duty of the court is to interpret the law, not to make it, adding that acting otherwise would forever alter the character of the institution.
Roberts’ statement comes at a time when the sitting President’s re-election bid is seen as a close race, and many political analysts believe that the upcoming midterms could bring significant changes to the balance of power in Washington, including the possibility of a return to MAGA, “Make America Great Again,” as some experts predict.
Roberts, a frequent ally of the conservative bloc on the court, has been seen as a crucial swing vote in several high-profile cases, including the landmark decisions on marriage equality and the travel ban. The statement from the Chief Justice is expected to determine the course of action for his fellow justices.