Jonathan Turley: Left Demonizes Supreme Court

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley claims that organized protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices are a political tactic to undermine the court and sway judicial decisions. He criticizes the rhetoric aimed at demonizing judges, pointing to incidents such as the attempted assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and demonstrations involving ‘bloody dolls’ at Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s residence in June 2022.

Turley notes that certain dates have become notable events in American life, with protesters targeting Chief Justice John Roberts’ summer residence on Hupper Island more recently. In the past, liberal protesters have disrupted the lives of conservative justices, verbally abused them, and in one instance, plotted to kill Justice Kavanaugh. At Justice Barrett’s home, protesters placed bloody dolls on her lawn, likely aware of her young children inside.

Protesters this week appeared at Chief Justice John Roberts’ vacation home in Maine, calling themselves “kayak-tivists” and creating flotillas to display signs and express their dissatisfaction.

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An ironic moment for Chief Justice Roberts, who has been criticized by President Donald Trump for voting against his position on significant cases, including those on tariffs and birthright citizenship. Turley emphasizes that this is rage-driven rather than reasoned critique.

Back in 2022, activist Becca Shaw Glaser urged residents of Maine to confront Roberts whenever he ventured out, citing grievances such as decisions perceived to undermine civil rights, environmental protection, gun regulations, church-state separation, and to exacerbate political inequality.

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Glaser, later dropped as a columnist, encouraged Mainers to confront Roberts in public spaces, expressing disdain for his perceived destruction of civil liberties.

The New York Times recently highlighted Glaser, reporting her encounter with Roberts’ daughter during a protest, portraying the increasing frustration among liberals with Roberts, despite his efforts to minimize public presence.

Among local critics is Wendy Schlotterbeck, who was dismayed by Roberts’ visible Fourth of July celebrations, particularly given recent court decisions on transgender athletes and immigration enforcement.

While protesting outside a justice’s home is technically a crime, some question the constitutionality of such laws. Regardless, Turley insists these protests deserve condemnation for being reckless and inappropriate.

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Turley advocates a united front among Americans in denouncing the hostility towards both liberal and conservative justices, asserting that the court has demonstrated independence by ruling according to law rather than partisanship.

He acknowledges the conservative majority’s rulings against the Trump administration when deemed necessary by the law.

The current Supreme Court term promises many significant decisions, prompting expectations of further protests. Despite opposing judicial rulings, Turley encourages unity across the political spectrum to reject the actions of enraged protesters.

Jonathan Turley, an established legal scholar, serves as a Fox News Media contributor and the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is recognized for his extensive work in constitutional law and his role in significant legal cases, along with numerous contributions to civil liberties and public interest.