Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of leaked draft opinion in abortion case, orders investigation.
“Although the document described in yesterday’s reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case,” Roberts said in a statement.
Ordering an investigation, Roberts continued, “To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed.”
He added: “I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, without referencing the substance of the leak, blasted the release of the draft decision.
“Last night’s stunning breach was an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court. By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical left’s ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law,” he said in a statement released Tuesday.
McConnell also called for a criminal investigation.
“”This lawless action should be investigated and punished as fully as possible. The Chief Justice must get to the bottom of it and the Department of Justice must pursue criminal charges if applicable,” he said.
— Herald wire services contributed
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