Event Description
While audiences were watching and arguing over outfits at the Met Gala, Politico reported they had obtained a leaked draft of Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (later confirmed authentic by Chief Justice Robert). The draft indicated where the court was aligning on a decision and since the leak, we have seen a backlash from those angry about not only the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey but precedents for privacy that also affect future rulings about healthcare, marriage, and gender equity.
While leaks are rare for the Supreme Court, governmental leaks have provided, for some, a leveling playing field — a sense of transparency to the governmental processes and as a means to force hands and mobilize for change. But others consider such leaks detrimental for institutions in fostering trust. In the case of The Supreme Court, where the aim is for decisions to remain separate from public opinion and where justices are appointed for life, this leak seems particularly designed to undermine the institution’s legitimacy. In this iteration of Wednesdays at Bentley, we’ll discuss the nature and implications of the leak as well as the updates regarding the court's investigation and ruling. |
