Jonathan Turley Criticizes Protests Targeting Supreme Court Justices

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley argues against protests organized outside the homes of Supreme Court justices. He sees these actions as part of a wider political strategy to undermine the court and sway its rulings. Turley highlights incidents like the attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh and the demonstrations with ‘bloody dolls’ at Justice Barrett’s residence in June 2022.

Events have punctuated American life with notable regularity. In February, Sandhill Cranes appear at the Platte River in Tennessee. March sees the return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano. October is marked by protests at Chief Justice John Roberts’ vacation home on Hupper Island. While this migratory pattern is new, it is not welcomed.

In recent years, liberal protesters have targeted conservative justices’ homes, affecting their lives negatively. In one alarming incident, there was an attempt to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s home, demonstrators left threatening symbols. This week, protesters named “kayaktists” gathered near Chief Justice John Roberts’ vacation home in Maine, using flotillas to display messages of dissent.

Despite the attacks, Turley distinguishes these protests as emotional rather than rational. In 2022, Becca Shaw Glaser encouraged Mainers to harass Roberts whenever possible. Her message to the community was to ensure Roberts never felt relaxed during his visits to Maine.

“Roberts uses Maine as his getaway despite decisions negatively impacting civil liberties, environmental protection, and equality in politics. Mainers should not allow such behavior,” Glaser stated. After a public backlash, she lost her column position, but the Times reveals that Roberts’ daughter tried to defend him during a protest led by Glaser.

Even amid protests, the Times reports that some locals such as Wendy Schlotterbeck felt outrage at Roberts’ presence, linking this to rulings they oppose. Despite his reduced public presence due to these protests, Roberts continues to be a focal point of discontent for many.

Protesting near a Supreme Court justice’s home is a legal grey area in itself, sparking debates about its constitutionality. Nonetheless, Turley asserts that such protests should be universally condemned as dangerous and inappropriate. Justices should be able to work without fear, irrespective of political leanings.

While conservative majorities exist, the Court’s record shows a commitment to impartial rulings, often aligning or opposing administration actions as justified. Turley argues against the left’s desire to expand the Court’s liberal representatives, maintaining that the Court’s integrity remains intact across varied political opinions.

Jonathan Turley, a recognized legal scholar and public interest law professor, has extensively covered legal and constitutional issues in his academic and professional endeavors. He has participated in significant legal cases and governmental hearings, adding weight to his commentary on judicial activism today.