The U.S. Supreme Court is confirming the authenticity of a draft opinion in a major abortion case.
A statement from the court on Tuesday read, “Yesterday, a news organization published a copy of a draft opinion in a pending case. Justices circulate draft options internally as a routine and essential part of the Court’s confidential deliberative work.”
“Although the document described in yesterday’s report is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case,” it added.
Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement, “To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way.”
Read the statement below:
Chief Justice John Roberts:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 3, 2022
“To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed…I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak.” pic.twitter.com/JFDQ28sW8n
He continued:
“We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce — permanent employees and law clerks alike — intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court.
Roberts added, “This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.”
Additionally, the chief justice said he ordered the Marshal of the Court to investigate the leak of the document.
The statement comes after Politico published a report based on a leaked draft majority opinion that indicated the Supreme Court would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
