Chief Justice John Roberts became visibly agitated after having to read a question from Senator Elizabeth Warren which suggested the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and his own career would be tainted following the impeachment trial.
Roberts had to read the question aloud – as he has throughout the trial with one notable exception – which insinuated an acquittal of President Donald Trump would lead to a loss of faith in major institutions of American government.
“Mr. Chief Justice, I send a question to the desk,” Warren declared from the floor of the Senate.
“At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government,” Roberts read, “does the fact that the chief justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the chief justice, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution?”
WATCH: Chief Justice Roberts reads an impeachment trial question from Sen. Warren that focuses on Republican senators, witnesses and the legitimacy of the chief justice, the US Supreme Court and the US Constitution. pic.twitter.com/rQpXcbkTnX
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 30, 2020
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Roberts Angered
It’s difficult to say what Warren’s plan was here. Angering Roberts and the rest of the justices on the Supreme Court when you’re running for President seems unwise at best.
Fox News reports that upon finishing the question, Roberts became “visibly irritated” and “pursed his lips and shot a chagrined look.”
If we’re being honest, isn’t that how we all feel when listening to Senator Warren?
Perhaps Warren is paving the way for a proposal getting legs amongst extremist liberals who wish to abolish the Supreme Court in the era of Trump.
“The Court is now a blunt political instrument, used repeatedly to undermine outcomes of democratic governance — often on behalf of corporate interests,” leftist outlet Vox claimed, adding that “the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation has further delegitimized the Court in the public’s mind.”
Warren herself has proposed ‘packing’ the court with many more Justices as a means to lessen the influence of Presidential appointments, a move explicitly aimed at minimizing Trump’s victories after the Kavanaugh debacle.
“It’s not just about expansion, it’s about depoliticizing the Supreme Court,” she claimed.
The fact that Senator Warren submitted this question, and the fact that Chief Justice Roberts read it unflinchingly, highlights how well and dutifully he executes his office, and how poorly and cynically she executes hers. https://t.co/mZJhmgf8nn
— Adam White (@adamjwhitedc) January 30, 2020
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Even Schiff Wouldn’t Go There
Upon reading the question directed at Democrat impeachment managers, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff stepped up to the microphone and promptly ran as far away from Warren as he possibly could.
“Senator, I uh, would not say that it contributes to a loss of confidence in the Chief Justice,” Schiff replied. “I think the Chief Justice has presided admirably.”
What he did suggest would be affected adversely, however, is the nation as a whole.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expanded on this notion that a trial without fabricating new witnesses eliminates the legitimacy of the presidency.
“He will not be acquitted,” she said realizing he is on the verge of being acquitted.
“You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial,” Pelosi continued. “You don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation and all of that. Does the president know right from wrong? I don’t think so.”
