John Roberts' Secret Trump Memo Revealed in Huge SCOTUS Leak

[Eugene]

Original reporting: How Roberts Shaped Trump’s Supreme Court Winning Streak (New York Times)

Alternate link: https://archive.is/4cUJ2#selection-647.0-647.55

________________________________________________

Source: The Daily Beast

John Roberts’ Secret Trump Memo Revealed in Huge SCOTUS Leak

A memo obtained by The New York Times indicated the chief justice wanted to act quick—and decisively—on Donald Trump’s presidential immunity.

Corbin Bolies
Media Reporter
Updated Sep. 15, 2024 10:55AM EDT / Published Sep. 15, 2024 10:33AM EDT

The Supreme Court was hit by a flurry of damaging new leaks Sunday as a series of confidential memos written by the chief justice were revealed by The New York Times.

The court’s Chief Justice John Roberts was clear to his fellow justices in February: He wanted the court to take up a case weighing Donald Trump’s right to presidential immunity—and he seemed inclined to protect the former president.

“I think it likely that we will view the separation of powers analysis differently,” Roberts wrote to his Supreme Court peers, according to a private memo obtained by the Times. He was referencing the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to allow the case to move forward.

Roberts took an unusual level of involvement in this and other cases that ultimately benefited Trump, according to the Times—his handling of the cases surprised even some other justices on the high court, across ideological lines. As president, Trump appointed three of the members of its current conservative supermajority.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-roberts-secret-trump-memo-revealed-in-huge-scotus-leak

Alternate link: https://news.yahoo.com/news/john-roberts-secret-trump-memo-143303014.html

[onecaliberal]

1. Kick for visibility.

[malaise]

2. Resign or better yet

Have another seizure

[11 Bravo]

38. Is seppuku off the table?

[malaise]

39. He is way too proud

For that way out

[rampartd]

87. "i can not live with such shame"

is what the samaurai said as he prepared for the ritual.

as we have seen, these justices have no shame.

[Moostache]

93. This justices have no honor.

It is impossible to embarass, shame or get them to recognize their own malfeasance. You cannot shame them into anything because the concept does not exist in their hideous world.

[PedroXimenez]

3. not a "private memo" anymore

[Buckeyeblue]

4. No one here will be even remotely surprised by this

It just makes the argument to expand the court even stronger.

[Carlitos Brigante]

5. Ha! And some still like to pretend this corrupt scumbag is one of the "sane ones". nt

[superpatriotman]

6. Let's stop calling them 'conservative'

And work towards term limiting all public servants. No more lifetime appointments.

[JHB]

32. "conservative" has always been the polite euphemism for "RW loon"

[Cha]

48. Fascist Fucks.

[zorbasd]

54. Yup

they sure are...

[Trueblue1968]

68. CONSERVATIVE has always been the polite euphemism for Right Wing ASS HOLE !!!!!!!

[DFW]

86. Polite?

I‘d say more like a violation of the Truth In Advertisinh Act.

[BattleRow]

41. More like preservatives

Except their shelf life needs to have a shorter expiration date.

[DSandra]

50. A true conservative wouldn't set the 200+ year old document that has run America on fire

More like Dangerously Extreme Regressives, wanting to bring a dark ages upon America.

[Evolve Dammit]

67. Hate that term. they are not conservative in any way in true sense of the word

[cynical_idealist]

94. I think regressive would be a better word for them

and the whole gop

[lindysalsagal]

7. Chaos agent. Maybe vlad is threatening them and their families?

[Biophilic]

9. And maybe they are just corrupt as hell.

I figure they were bought by American oligarchs and they are fine with tearing this country apart.

[rubbersole]

24. Ass, gas, grass or treason. Nobody rides for free.

[JHB]

35. The plan to stuff the courts with RW operatives has been going on since Vlad was still in the KGB

Don't need the Russkies for that.

[Farmer-Rick]

74. Well Putin did have Clarence Thomas over

To visit his golden Palace in 2003. It wouldn't surprise me if Putin has met with all 5 compromised justices.

But yeah, the crazy 5 Supreme Court justices are traitors and sell outs. But nothingo to see here. They just happen to have a bunch of foreign friends who are all so very wealthy and are known dictators and despots.

[Kid Berwyn]

8. Who knew? SCrOTUS is part of Trump's conspiracy.

Lock them up.

[Hekate]

10. I heard all along that Roberts cared about his legacy & reputation. Looks like this is it.

The rot goes deep.

I feel sorry for Kagen, Sotomayor, and Jackson-Brown, to have to work with such scum.

[slightlv]

13. After studying and working so long and hard to obtain the position,

THIS is the court the Democratic women get to serve with. What a let down it must be for them!

[MontanaMama]

21. It is my hope that it solidifies their resolve

to expose the rot within their ranks. Not only for every single woman in this country but also in memory of RBG.

[DSandra]

52. They gave Roberts enough money to put his reputation desires aside...

[wordstroken]

90. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for them.

[Aristus]

11. Question for our DU legal scholars: Does this qualify as judicial misconduct?

Thanks in advance.

[patphil]

12. Roberts is beholding to Trump for giving his court more power than it may ever have had.

And so, he returned the favor.

[uponit7771]

14. This is bad

[infullview]

15. I have a question...

If the senate voted to change the rules so you only need 50+ votes to pass a law, does that include a vote to impeach a judge or does this still take a 2/3rds vote?

[Bev54]

16. John Roberts will go down in history as the worst chief Justice and he, and the remaining

conservative justices will go down as party to an attempted coup. They all need to go.

[peppertree]

33. And his wife, as the biggest bribe drop box since the Trump D.C. Hotel

Roberts and his Pot-o'gold.

[ellemb]

55. Is it just me, but I think that dress is hideous.

[peppertree]

58. She thinks she's a flower

A corpse flower, I'd say (stinks to high heaven - just like their finances).

[Captain Zero]

83. Put a clown hat on her

yep.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

62. Roger Taney thanks Roberts

[mtngirl47]

17. Pack the court n/t

[JHB]

46. Unpack it. It's already packed.

[SupportSanity]

18. KnR

[moniss]

19. This should put to rest any doubt

about whether Roberts would take extraordinary steps regarding this defendant. I know people have felt my assertion was rash that he might step in to have the SC take an appeal when the presiding Associate Justice for that jurisdiction had turned it away. This should remove the doubt. This memo is an incredibly inappropriate thing for Roberts to have done.

When you combine the clear demonstration of prejudice on the issues for this defendant along with his absolute absence on the financial and conduct indiscretions of Thomas and Alito there is more than enough reason to justifiably call for his resignation. Remember that this is the same Roberts who declines Congressional inquiry and asserts, along with Alito, that Congress has no authority with the SC other than giving advise and consent for judicial nominations.

[GiqueCee]

70. Roberts was one of the vigilantes...

... that swept in to a Florida elections office to stop the recount even before the corrupt Rehnquist Court handed down its order to do so.

NO judge or justice should have ANY political affiliation, by law, and no politician should have any say in the nomination process, especially the President, who is the most partisan politician in the country.

"Justice Is Blind", my ass.

[moniss]

72. Yes and Billy R

was known to have participated in voter suppression efforts before he moved into being a judge.

Just think how stupid this country looks when just a few years ago if you admitted to having smoked a joint you were immediately declared unfit for high office or the Federal Bench but if you openly and knowingly took part in violating people's voting rights then you were perfectly acceptable. It wasn't until we got past the foolishness of "I didn't inhale" that even a tiny bit of sanity regarding pot use when young came about.

[mahina]

20. Who is pulling the strings on these puppets?

[rubbersole]

25. Wouldn't you be vlad to know...

[Duncan Grant]

47. Leonard Leo and friend$. (American oligarchy)

One can’t speak of these things without sounding conspiratorial, but this Roberts memo is interesting evidence.

Bookmarking this thread. I’ll be interested to see what it looks like a year from now.

[BWdem4life]

63. Nobody. They are true believers. nt

[uponit7771]

81. +1, There's **NO DOUBT** organized, NO FREAKING DOUBT

[yankee87]

22. King Rump

I am still in disbelief at how fast a country can go into full blown fascism. Maybe we are in end stage capitalism and fascism naturally comes next. I know the people on this forum will fight with their lives to prevent this.

[MontanaMama]

23. Kicking.

The SCOTUS leaks...any bets on where they are coming from? Inside the house?

[PuraVidaDreamin]

26. Roberts wanted his corrupt cohort to ACT QUICK- yeah right

They waited until the last day of the session to announce their decision.

So blatant and in our face they continue to erode Democracy for their friends, the billionaires and
other corporate persons.

[mountain grammy]

27. Worst umpire ever.

[Seinan Sensei]

77. Some Umpires say: "I call 'em as they are"

Others say: "I call 'em as I see 'em"

Umpire Roberts says: "They are what I call 'em"
No attempt at judicial objectivity.
He moves the ballgame any direction he wants to.

[BoRaGard]

28. Republicans are so stinking corrupt

[flying_wahini]

29. Is Biden going to do anything about this? Short answer; not likely. IMO -He won't want to jinx the election.

Will Harris? I sure hope so. If we can win both houses I suspect we will see big changes. If we lose…

[J_William_Ryan]

30. "...and he seemed inclined to protect the former president."

Which is why it’s perfectly appropriate to assume that the Court’s conservatives would act to facilitate installing Trump as president.

[kentuck]

31. Can Kamala name a new Chief Justice if she gets a new nomination?

As I recall, that was the way that Roberts became Chief Justice?

[tritsofme]

56. Not unless the position is vacant....

[orangecrush]

34. Fake justice

[Baitball Blogger]

36. This is probably why Judge Merchan pushed the date back until after the election.

[ecstatic]

37. what does putin have on him? smh

When we have the majority again, we MUST act on the supreme court, electoral college, and all the other urgent democracy-related issues.

[Marigold]

40. Isn't he the "moderate" one?

So worried about the legitimacy and legacy of the court? I guess this is the source of the stench Sotomayor was speaking of.

[BattleRow]

42. This isn't justice...

It's just us now,folks..and our votes.

[Silent Type]

43. As far as this particular case, can't get too excited about Roberts saying the SC should move quickly. It should have,

but didn't.

[SunSeeker]

85. They dragged it out for months to prevent a trial before the election.

Fucking sickening.

[dchill]

44. Why do I think I saw something about this memo weeks ago?

Especially the specific Roberts quote. Anyway, it's not secret anymore, is it.

[UpInArms]

45. This court must be dismantled

These people do not have any allegiance to the constitution or country.

[DSandra]

49. John Roberts has to ensure that America turns into Gilead

And is not going to let a mere Constitution stop him from doing so.

[Charmin One]

51. FUCK THE IMPARTIAL SHIT

Roberts has a CRIMINAL to protect

[raging moderate]

53. These are NOT conservatives; they are reactionaries! They want to go WAY back!

They want to go back about a thousand years to the absolute reign of despots, to the era when the rulers believed they should have absolute control because "Might makes Right!" They want Feudalism!

[c-rational]

57. K&R. Robert's and the other conservatives are traitors to the ideals of this country. Go elsewhere

and form your own theological kingdom

[PATRICK]

59. As a card carrying veteran

of the Bush/Cheney cabal this is a reminder how some of the GOP "defectors" are really playing the game. (on edit; Robert in charge of Florida steal 2000 legal team)They protect the goofus for the long game and down ticket and want to scoop them up if they ever can find another ridiculous candidate totally under their control.

[PufPuf23]

60. John "Sleazy" Roberts

Traitor, grifter and Catholic zealot of lies.

[polichick]

61. Let me guess: Nothing will come of this.

[BWdem4life]

64. Something always comes from everything

But usually change is maddeningly slow in manifesting itself.

[ArmedLiberal24]

65. All of these MAGA plants on the SCOTUS think they're untouchable. Keep protecting him!! America is now looking at all 6.

America is fed up with planted SCOTUS members who only care about protecting Trump and other Republicans and Republican issues. These betrayers to the oaths that they have taken not only serve evil people like Trump but evil people including themselves(Clarence). And now the SCOTUS is being observed very closely by the government and by ordinary citizens. These people are so full of what they think is power and power at their choice and time whenever they want to use it!. They are sadly mistaken. WE THE PEOPLE have the true power. And we will not allow these 6 members to aid in the destruction of our country.They are installed to serve justice not DICtatorships !!!. TRE45ON.

[ArmedLiberal24]

66. Impeach the ones who lied under oath at confirmation !!!. TRE45ON.

[byronius]

69. Traitor. Belongs in prison.

That’s a job requiring behavior beyond reproach — but he’s just another toady. Tiny criminal just like the rest of them.

[spanone]

71. EXPAND THE COURT

[tishaLA]

73. The Times article has fantastic reporting

But my god is it depressing. It confirms that our court hAs been taken over by a group of overzealous ideologue. The only conservative justice who appears to have anything approaching a conscience is Barrett.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

78. John Roberts sounds delusional.

I am shocked that I agree with the NYT on anything

Link to tweet

I posted on the article from the Times
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219466956

[Beartracks]

75. Remember when Republicans used to decry "activist judges"? But then again...

... the fact that they ever accused supposedly liberal judges of being "activist judges" was simply a broadcast of their OWN very real activist intentions when appointing conservative judges anywhere in the judiciary.

==================

[travelingthrulife]

89. They are always projecting. We should point that out every time they do it.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

76. How Roberts Shaped Trump's Supreme Court Winning Streak

Here is a NYT article on Roberts' role is the SCOTUS efforts to help re-elect TFG. Roberts actions in these cases are really sickening and show that Robert and the other five conservatives have been actively attempting to help TFG in his legal issues. I have had issues with Roberts since the Shelby County case where Roberts gutted the voting rights act. Robert has now confirmed that he is a partisan hack.

This a NYT article that has some good facts. I think that the facts in this article show that Roberts is a partisan hack. The NYT does not go that far but provides enough facts to show that control of the SCOTUS is a key issue. This immunity ruling needs to be either overturned by adding more justices to the court or with the Presidential Immunity Act which contains a provision divesting SCOTUS with jurisdiction over this issue. The naked partisanship of the SCOTUS needs to be addressed if VP Harris wins and the Democrats have control over the Senate and the House.

Link to tweet

https://www.nytimes.com/subscription/onboarding-offer?EXIT_URI=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252F2024%252F09%252F15%252Fus%252Fjustice-roberts-trump-supreme-court.html%253Funlocked_article_code%253D1.K04.mC2X.k9K6vnKaQdt6%2526smid%253Dem-share&auth=login-google1tap&campaignId=7JFJX&login=google1tap

Last February, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. sent his eight Supreme Court colleagues a confidential memo that radiated frustration and certainty.

Former President Donald J. Trump, seeking to retake the White House, had made a bold, last-ditch appeal to the justices. He wanted them to block his fast-approaching criminal trial on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election, arguing that he was protected by presidential immunity. Whatever move the court made could have lasting consequences for the next election, the scope of presidential power and the court’s own battered reputation......

The chief justice wrote the majority opinions in all three cases, including an unsigned one in March concluding that the former president could not be barred from election ballots in Colorado.

Another case involved a highly unusual switch. In April, the chief justice assigned Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. to write a majority opinion saying that prosecutors had gone too far in bringing obstruction charges against some Capitol rioters. But in late May, the chief justice took it over.

I read the immunity opinion and was shocked at how poorly reasoned such opinion was. This opinion looked like it was written by a non-lawyer like Stephen Miller. Robert's analysis was really weak. I am happy to see that I was not the only lawyer who was truly offended by Roberts' reasoning in the immunity opinion

In his writings on the immunity case, the chief justice seemed confident that his arguments would soar above politics, persuade the public, and stand the test of time. His opinion cited “enduring principles,” quoted Alexander Hamilton’s endorsement of a vigorous presidency, and asserted it would be a mistake to dwell too much on Mr. Trump’s actions. “In a case like this one, focusing on ‘transient results’ may have profound consequences for the separation of powers and for the future of our Republic,” he wrote. “Our perspective must be more farsighted.”

But the public response to the decision, announced in July on the final day of the term, was nothing like what his lofty phrases seemed to anticipate.......

“It’s a strange, sprawling opinion,” said William Baude, a University of Chicago law professor and a former clerk to the chief justice. “It’s hard to tell what exactly it is trying to do.”

Others said the ruling was untethered from the law. “It’s certainly not really tied to the Constitution,” said Stephen R. McAllister, a law professor at University of Kansas and former clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas.

Roberts has shown himself to be a partisan hack. The immunity ruling was really poorly reasoned and has the effect of making the POTUS into a king as noted by Justice Sotomayor

Chief Justice Roberts’s language in the opinion seemed intended to stay above the fray, extending protections to “all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy or party.” But in a withering dissent, Justice Sotomayor wrote that the majority opinion gave Mr. Trump “all the immunity he asked for and more.” It also, she wrote, protected “treasonous acts,” transformed the president into “a king above the law” and ultimately caused her to “fear for our democracy.”

The court’s leader shot back that the liberal justices “strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the court actually does today.”

There at least two proposals pending to undo the immunity ruling that need to be addressed. Roberts proving himself to be a partisan hack makes control of the SCOTUS a key issue this cycle.

[Martin68]

79. This is a big fucking deal! Proof that Roberts is in cahoots with the Trumpists. I look forward to the fallout.

[uponit7771]

80. This is even worse, Roberts has reported on multiple accessions taking actions to help MAGA agenda.

[B.See]

82. The only differences between the conservative

SC thugs and the ones busting out the windows of our parked vehicles are, the latter

1. don't wear robes
2. aren't being highly paid for their crimes
3. don't engage in PRETENSE at integrity.

Which makes the former FAR WORSE.

[czarjak]

84. Bushies best be worst.

W can still KMA. Someone said we'd be stuck with them for decades. On the bright side, Baptists and Catholics have never been so unified. Huh?

[wolfie001]

88. This Golden Nugget def goes into the NYTs Hall of Fame!!!

Remember, Robert's wife is a participant in this as well. She's a far-right consultant in these matters. They're both misguided religious wackjobs. Ditto Ginny Thomas and Alito's wife assisting from the "bench".

[niyad]

91. KNR and bookmarking

[Joinfortmill]

92. Stunning. NYT hit it out of the park this time.