Justice Samuel Alito defends Supreme Court's independence

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito expressed concern regarding what he described as a concerted effort to intimidate the court and its justices to influence their decisions. In interviews aired on Oct. 4 and 5, Alito addressed the rhetoric used by elected officials and the potential impact on the future of the court.

Speaking to CBS, Alito noted that criticism from presidents has become increasingly damaging when they are dissatisfied with court rulings. He stated that both the Biden administration and President Trump have been very harsh in their criticism of the court.

In an interview with Fox on Oct. 4, Alito said he is concerned about the court's future due to attempts to influence how justices decide cases. He described the court as a fundamental institution for protecting the constitutional structure and the rights of Americans, even while acknowledging it has not always done the right thing. These interviews coincided with the start of the 2026-2027 Supreme Court term and the release of his book, "So Ordered: An Originalist’s View of the Constitution, the Court and Our Country."