Staff Reports
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch took center stage during a recent interview with SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly to discuss the heated and somewhat ludicrous topic of term limits for Supreme Court justices, proposed by none other than President Joe Biden. Gorsuch cleverly sidestepped diving too deep into specific political proposals—particularly in an election year—proving he’s not foolish enough to wade through that minefield.
In true judicial fashion, Gorsuch emphasized the importance of the independent judiciary enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. He reminded listeners that this independence exists so that, regardless of how popular an individual may be, justice remains protected from the mob mentality that can sway public opinion. It’s a classic case of justice needing to serve the people, not merely pander to them. Gorsuch articulated a concern that those in the spotlight, such as celebrities or politicians, could enjoy biased preferential treatment in the eyes of the court, a scenario that would surely make the Founding Fathers roll in their graves.
The Justice illustrated his point by warning about the implications of bowing down to popular opinion. He painted a picture of a world where the government could come after someone unjustly—an all-too-real scenario, as evidenced by recent political witch hunts. According to Gorsuch, what everyone truly wants in such dire situations is an independent judge who doesn’t owe allegiance to any political faction, but rather upholds the law. This courtroom independence is what keeps the scales of justice balanced, and let’s be honest: how many judges can honestly say they’d rather NOT be influenced by Washington insiders?
Washington Examiner: Gorsuch defends having ‘independent judiciary’ amid Biden’s Supreme Court term limits proposal https://t.co/YCQKRncs8S
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 7, 2024
In a moment of candor, Gorsuch also spoke about his experiences behind closed doors with fellow justices, sharing insights from his recent book “Over Ruled.” He reflected on the camaraderie among Supreme Court justices—who knew they could actually be friends? As much as some may want to frame the court as a deeply divided entity, behind the scenes, it seems there’s an unexpected warmth. However, he didn’t shy away from criticizing the overreach of certain COVID-19 laws that trampled individual freedoms under the pretext of health and safety, reminding everyone that not all laws are equal and some can indeed be tyrannical.
The Justice didn’t stop there; he expressed concern over the current climate of public discourse, particularly in light of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Gorsuch’s call for civility and improved education in civics couldn’t feel more timely. He lamented the fact that civics education has practically vanished from school curricula, leaving students woefully uninformed about the very government they live under. With only six states requiring a full year of civics in high school, it’s no wonder that many young Americans are clueless about their rights and responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Biden, in a somewhat desperate op-ed, is signaling a desire to reform the Supreme Court due to perceived “extremism” within its ranks. Perhaps the real extremism lies in proposing such radical changes to an institution designed to be insulated from the whims of the political sphere. Gorsuch’s assertions underscore a crucial takeaway: everyone from average Americans to top officials needs a refresher course on the fundamentals of governance, lest they concoct policies that undermine the very democracy they claim to protect.
