Chief Justice John Roberts asserted the independence of the federal courts from what he called “inappropriate political influence,” in a year-end report released Friday that comes amid widespread political criticism of the Supreme Court, and calls to dramatically reform its structure.
As head of the federal judiciary, the chief justice of the United States summarized a dramatic year at his court and the 107 district and appeals courts across the country.
“Decisional independence is essential to due process, promoting impartial decision-making, free from political or other extraneous influence,” said Roberts. Of equal importance, “The Judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and co-equal branch of government.”
Roberts, who has led the court since 2005, made his remarks on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Judicial Conference, the federal courts’ internal administrative and policy-making body, led by the chief justice and composed of rotating federal judges.
He said the Conference has been focused on ensuring the courts run effectively despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, as well as unspecified cybersecurity threats.