Jonathan Turley on Protests Aimed at Supreme Court Justices

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley argues that protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices are part of a larger effort to undermine the court’s authority and influence judicial outcomes. Turley highlights incidents such as the attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh and disruptive demonstrations at Justice Barrett’s home, where ‘bloody dolls’ were used as props.

Each year, specific events become part of American culture. In February, Sandhill Cranes return to Tennessee’s Platte River. In March, swallows come back to San Juan Capistrano. More recently, in October, protesters gather at Chief Justice John Roberts’ summer residence on Hupper Island. These protests are less about tradition and more about disruption.

Liberal protesters have frequently targeted conservative justices, aiming to disrupt their personal lives. In one instance, an attempt was made on Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s life. Demonstrators have also targeted Justice Amy Coney Barrett with symbolic protests outside her home.

Recently, activists calling themselves ‘kayak-tivists’ protested outside Chief Justice John Roberts’ vacation home in Maine. Their protests involve flotillas displaying signs to express dissatisfaction with his judicial decisions.

Despite attacks from figures like President Donald Trump over voting against his positions, this issue transcends logic and is driven by emotion. Back in 2022, Becca Shaw Glaser wrote about the need to confront Roberts in Maine to express dissatisfaction over his rulings.

“Roberts, considered one of the most powerful individuals globally, retreats to Maine for leisure without regard for the consequences of his legal decisions which some view as rights violations. Many in Maine feel this is not acceptable.”

Glaser encouraged locals to publicly express discontent with Roberts’ presence in the area. Her stance led to her removal as a columnist, but her influence lingered, encouraging people to confront Roberts whenever he was seen in public.

The New York Times reports on Glaser’s history of protest, including an interaction with Roberts’ daughter Josephine, who defended her father during a protest. The paper highlights the frustration among liberals over Roberts’ influence, even noting how his movements on the island have been curtailed.

Individuals like Wendy Schlotterbeck expressed anger over Roberts’ presence, especially after Supreme Court decisions viewed unfavorably by some residents. Schlotterbeck joined the ‘kayak-tivists’ citing personal connections to the affected groups.

Legally, protesting outside a justice’s home is a crime, sparking debates about constitutional rights. Many argue that such protests should be condemned as reckless. All justices, regardless of political leanings, aim to preserve important rights within the Republic. Only a few protests have targeted liberal justices, underlining the preferential focus.

Despite the protest rhetoric, the Supreme Court remains independent, ruling based on law rather than political influences. Its conservative majority does not shy from ruling against the Trump administration when necessary.

This term promises pivotal decisions, prompting expected return protests to justices’ residences. While debates and public protests over rulings are within rights, there’s consensus on condemning aggressive tactics aimed at the judiciary. Such acts affect the integrity of the judicial system.

Jonathan Turley is a contributor to Fox News Media and a professor at George Washington University. His book, “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution,” was released recently. Turley, a recognized legal scholar, has written extensively on constitutional law, served as counsel in major cases, and testified numerous times before Congress.