Fact Check: Schumer's Remarks About Justices Were Deemed Inappropriate by Roberts
What We Know
On March 4, 2020, Chief Justice John Roberts publicly condemned remarks made by Senator Chuck Schumer during a rally outside the Supreme Court. Schumer criticized Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, stating, “You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price,” and warned that they “will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions” (New York Times). In response, Chief Justice Roberts issued a statement asserting that while justices are accustomed to criticism, “threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous” (PBS). This statement indicates that Roberts found Schumer's comments to be beyond the bounds of acceptable political discourse.
Analysis
The evidence presented in various sources supports the claim that Chief Justice Roberts deemed Schumer's remarks inappropriate. Roberts’ response was notably rare, as he typically refrains from commenting on political matters or criticisms directed at the judiciary. His statement emphasized the seriousness of Schumer's comments, labeling them as “dangerous” and asserting the independence of the judiciary (SCOTUS Blog).
Critics of Schumer's remarks, including former President Donald Trump, echoed Roberts' sentiments, stating that Schumer's comments constituted a direct threat to the Supreme Court (New York Times). Schumer's spokesperson later clarified that the comments were meant to refer to the political consequences for Senate Republicans rather than a threat against the justices themselves. However, this defense does not negate the interpretation that Roberts and others took Schumer's words as a serious threat (New York Times).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include major news outlets such as the New York Times and PBS, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The statements from Roberts are direct quotes, further substantiating the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that "Schumer's remarks about justices were deemed inappropriate by Roberts" is True. Chief Justice Roberts explicitly condemned Schumer's comments as inappropriate and dangerous, reflecting a significant concern regarding the tone and implications of political discourse surrounding the judiciary.
