On May 2, 2022, the Supreme Court was rocked by an unprecedented leak of a draft opinion on a major case. Late into the night, POLITICO broke news that Supreme Court Justices, led by Justice Samuel Alito, would rule to overturn Roe v. Wade and return abortion law to the states. The draft decision was monumental, but the betrayal of the leak couldn't be understated.
"It's impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin," SCOTUSblog tweeted in disbelief.
"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," Chief Justice John Roberts released in a statement at the time. "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. 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."
In the aftermath of the leaked draft opinion, the left erupted with violence.
According to a report put out by the Susan B. Anthony List, dozens of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers have been attacked and firebombed since the beginning of May. Jane's Revenge, an Antifa-connected terrorist group, took credit for violent attacks and declared open season on pro-life groups.
"From here forward, any anti-choice group who closes their doors, and stops operating will no longer be a target. But until you do, it's open season, and we know where your operations are. The infrastructure of the enslavers will not survive. We will never stop, back down, slow down, or retreat," the group pledged in an open letter. "And for the allies of ours who doubt the authenticity of the communiqués and actions: there is a way you can get irrefutable proof that these actions are real. Go do one of your own. You are already one of us. Everyone with the urge to paint, to burn, to cut, to jam: now is the time."
After repeated and illegal picketing at the homes of Justices, forcing Justice Alito to leave his primary residence, a California man attempted to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family. He cited the looming decision on overturning Roe as justification.
"An inventory search of the seized suitcase and backpack revealed a black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines and ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch, crowbar, pistol light, duct tape, hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles and other items," an FBI affidavit states. "[The suspect] indicated that he had purchased the Glock pistol and other items for the purpose of breaking into the Justice's residence and killing the Justice."
The goal of these attacks was always to intimidate Justices into changing their opinion. To scare them into upholding Roe rather than overturning it. They didn't budge, stayed faithful to the U.S. Constitution and delivered an opinion nearly identical to the draft. They rejected the violent mob and bolstered faith that the Court makes decisions based on constitutionality, not threats or intimidation. As Justice Roberts promised, the work of the Court was not affected in any way. A win for the rule of law, the institution and the country as a whole.