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An internal investigation is turning up the heat into the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion. The high court is nearing the time when its decision on a major abortion case could be delivered.
It’s widely speculated that one of the law clerks, who work directly for the justices, is responsible for leaking the draft opinion.
CNN reported that the law clerks are being asked to provide cellphone records and sign affidavits.
“Some clerks are apparently so alarmed over the moves, particularly the sudden requests for private cell data, that they have begun exploring whether to hire outside counsel,” the report added.
The draft opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. It would effectively overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and leave it to states to set their own abortion standards.
The draft opinion calls for a new standard for abortion laws in the United States.
Politico authenticated the document, but it could still be revised.
Supreme Court leak investigation heats up as clerks are asked for phone records in unprecedented movehttps://t.co/CjMTxtSvjl
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 31, 2022
Justice Clarence Thomas responded to the leak by saying, “I do think that what happened at the court is tremendously bad.”
“I wonder how long we’re going to have these institutions at the rate we’re undermining them. And then I wonder when they’re gone or destabilized, what we will have as a country? And I don’t think the prospects are good if we continue to lose them,” he said.
More on this story via Western Journal:
Publication of the draft sparked massive pro-abortion protests and threats against the members of the Supreme Court’s conservative wing who might support the ruling.
Chief Justice John Roberts met with law clerks after the leak. Each justice gets four clerks, and the prized spots that can be steppingstones to a high-profile career.
CNN estimated that in addition to the 36 clerks, others would have had access to the draft, totaling about 75 people in all.
The report said it was not clear whether other court employees were being asked to share cellphone records.
The court’s internal investigation is being led by the court’s marshal, Gail Curley.
Curley, a lawyer and former Army colonel, oversees the police stationed at the court’s building.
“I’m confident that if the truth can be found out here, she’ll find it out and present it in an unbiased manner,” retired Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Huston, Curley’s former supervisor at the Pentagon, said, according to The Associated Press.
Politico said the process under which the investigation is taking shape was unclear.
Justices can demand the phone records of those they employ.
They can’t demand those records from their spouses, but as soon as the Chief Justice sets an example by requesting his wife’s records, those who decline will stand out. If the CJ is serious. . . https://t.co/1Yf83rgWue— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) May 31, 2022
