Overview
- Speaking in Hershey on Wednesday, Chief Justice John Roberts said justices are not political actors and urged critics to target opinions, not individual judges.
- Roberts said post‑pandemic oral arguments now run too long and said he will review the format over the summer.
- His remarks followed last week’s decision that weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which has prompted fast redistricting moves in states such as Louisiana and renewed reform calls.
- Roberts did not name President Donald Trump, who attacked the justices after their February ruling striking down his global tariffs, but warned that personal broadsides against judges can create serious problems.
- Reporters tied his defense to sliding approval ratings, long‑running ethics concerns, and a 6–3 conservative record on abortion, guns, agency power, and voting rights, with right‑leaning outlets stressing judicial independence and left‑leaning outlets questioning credibility.