Roberts: Kavanaugh Joining Court Is Like Having A New In-Law At Thanksgiving

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Chief Justice Roberts said he’s worried about growing partisanship in the judici... U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Chief Justice Roberts said he’s worried about growing partisanship in the judicial confirmation process and a public perception that the court is a political body. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) MORE LESS
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Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday that having a new member of the Supreme Court is making the other justices bring on their A game, according to a Tuesday Politico report.

“It is like having a new in-law at Thanksgiving dinner,” Roberts joked during an appearance at the University of Minnesota. “Uncle Fred will put on a clean shirt.”

He also went to great lengths to emphasize the independence of the court, despite the political brawl that preceded Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

“The story of the Supreme Court would be very different without that kind of independence,” he said. “Without independence, there is no Brown v. Board of Education.”

“We do not serve one party or one interest, but we serve one nation,” he continued. “I want to assure all of you that we will continue to do that to the best of our abilities, whether times are calm or contentious.”

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  1. I have had a few drunk Uncles that lied through their teeth but never one accused of attempted rape…

  2. Avatar for davidn davidn says:

    “We do not serve one party or one interest, but we serve one nation,”

    Roberts obviously realizes that the new in-law will give a bad impression to the neighbors. Little does he realize, he has done little to improve those impressions either.

  3. We do not serve one party or one interest, but we serve one nation,” he continued. “I want to assure all of you that we will continue to do that to the best of our abilities, whether times are calm or contentious.

    Yea, sure John, wink wink. And I’ve got a lovely bridge in Brooklyn to sell you…

  4. Roberts has always been one who appears to care truly and deeply about SCOTUS’ institutional legitimacy, and his court’s place in history. Comments like these give me hope that Roberts will move closer to Kennedy’s old role in an attempt to preserve the court’s legitimacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if privately he views the Kavanaugh appointment as a partisan attack on his court.

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