Barrett Declines to Comment on President Trump's Criticisms of the Court
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett refused to discuss President Donald Trump's recent attacks on the judiciary during a University of Virginia appearance.
During a speaking engagement at the University of Virginia, Justice Amy Coney Barrett told the audience she would not talk about any particular statements made by President Donald Trump regarding the Supreme Court. The comment came after Trump publicly lambasted Barrett and two other Trump-appointed justices, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, for their role in rejecting a proposal to impose stricter mail-in voting requirements.
In his remarks, Trump claimed the justices were hesitant to confront Democratic opposition. Barrett has a history of confrontations with Trump, including disagreements over tariff rulings, a decision on birthright citizenship, and her opposition to his attempt to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. She also highlighted security concerns for the judiciary, noting she once wore a bullet-proof vest.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights ongoing tension between the executive branch and the Supreme Court over election rules and judicial independence.
How this story developed
- Aug 27 Rep. Jake Auchincloss Discusses Congressional Reform and Supreme Court Changes
- Sep 5 Judge extended the preliminary injunction blocking the rule.
- Sep 5 Judge Talwani issued a new order on Friday extending the injunction.
- Sep 6 Administration filed a third petition to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the injunction.
- Sep 8 Missouri Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling requiring a statewide referendum before the GOP‑crafted map can be used.
- Sep 9 Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 stay of the district‑court injunction.
- Sep 10 Federal judge rejected Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' request to block the contempt proceeding.
- Sep 10 First Circuit Court of Appeals denied the administration’s request to lift the injunction, leaving the rule blocked through the November elections.
- Sep 11 U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump-backed congressional map, requiring use of the 2022 districts.
- Sep 14 A federal judge issued an injunction blocking the USPS mail‑ballot rule.
- Sep 15 In a 7-2 unsigned order, the Supreme Court refused to overturn blocks on a new USPS regulation that would mandate election-mail markings, barcode-compatible envelopes, and a federal portal for voter data. The majority said the Justice Department had not shown a likelihood of success on the merits. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred, citing insufficient time for states to implement the rule before the midterms. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas authored a dissent, contending that the plaintiffs—mostly Democratic states—lacked standing and that the Postal Service’s statutory powers are broad. Alito emphasized that the timing argument does not justify denying the government’s application and criticized the challengers for delaying the rule’s rollout. He concluded that the “Hail Mary” effort would probably fail and urged the Court to grant the administration’s request. The decision stalls the rule for the upcoming election, though further litigation could allow implementation by 2028.
- Sep 15 Supreme Court rejected the administration’s request to stay the injunction.
- Sep 15 The Supreme Court issued an order denying the administration’s emergency request to change mail‑in ballot handling.
- Sep 15 Donald Trump blasted the Supreme Court ruling, calling mail‑in voting a “laughing stock” and accusing the justices of being “petrified of these crazed and depraved Democrats.”
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