Chief Justice John Roberts says criticism of SCOTUS is 'venting'

 June 29, 2025

Chief Justice John Roberts doesn't often make public comments on the state of the high court, but he did recently at a judicial conference in North Carolina, where he made his thoughts clear on those who have criticized the court's decisions.

According to The Hill, Chief Justice Roberts said that some of the criticism leveled at the high court is "not terribly helpful," adding that he believes much of it can be chalked up to "venting" by the side that loses. 

While he wasn't speaking about any particular case, the comments came shortly after the high court handed the Trump administration a significant victory regarding the federal judiciary's ability to rule against the president's orders.

Federal judges' ability to issue universal injunctions was significantly narrowed by the Supreme Court this week, and it was a stunning victory for the Trump administration.

What did he say?

At the conference, Roberts spoke with Albert Diaz, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit’s chief judge, and made his thoughts clear.

"It would be good if people appreciated it’s not the judge’s fault that a correct interpretation of the law meant that, no, you don’t get to do this," Roberts said.

"And it may be an incorrect interpretation," he added. "But if that’s their criticism, then, of course, they can explain that, and maybe the court of appeals will take a different view."

Roberts went on to imply that some of the criticism can be classifed as "venting" when a decision doesn't go the way a group or person wanted it to go.

"But if it’s just venting because you lost, then that’s not terribly helpful," he said.

Social media reacts

Users across social media had their own idea as to why the rhetoric involving the federal judiciary is heated these days.

"I think the rhetoric is mainly caused by judges overstepping their authority... as clearly pointed out by SCOTUS," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Roberts is responsible for some rhetoric of his own."

Roberts has made several statements defending the judiciary in recent months, especially as the heated rhetoric continues.

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