Justice Amy Coney Barrett Releases Memoir, Addresses Threats and Judicial Independence

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s highly anticipated memoir, “Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution,” is officially released today, offering a rare glimpse into the Supreme Court’s inner workings and the challenges faced by its members. In an accompanying interview, Justice Barrett condemned “violence or threats of violence” against judges, emphasizing the toll it takes on public service, particularly following the court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

While acknowledging the “clear polarization” that has led to “acts of political violence,” Barrett notably refrained from joining other judges in directly calling on former President Donald Trump to temper his rhetoric concerning the judiciary. She explained that the court’s consideration of executive power must be “detached from the current occupant of the office,” focusing instead on the broader institution of the presidency.

Her new book, published by Sentinel, aims to demystify the nation’s highest court for non-lawyers. Despite joining the court as Trump’s appointee in 2020, the memoir largely sidesteps direct engagement with the former president. For instance, it discusses the court’s 2024 decision on presidential immunity without explicitly naming Trump or detailing the specific ruling that shielded him from prosecution for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

However, the book subtly highlights areas of potential disagreement with Trump. Barrett praises the free-speech votes of Justices Kennedy and Scalia regarding flag burning, a direct contrast to Trump’s recent executive order to prosecute such acts. She also underscores the clarity of the two-term presidential limit, a point that implicitly counters any musings about extended terms.

As the youngest justice at 53 and a key figure in the court’s conservative supermajority, Barrett’s memoir also defends the controversial overturning of Roe v. Wade. She asserts that courts must correct past mistakes, stating that the Roe decision “went wrong in interpreting the due process clause” and that the Constitution leaves abortion regulation to the democratic process.

Approaching her five-year anniversary on the bench, Justice Barrett also reflected on the personal impact of her role, noting the constant security presence and the loss of complete freedom in her daily life.

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