Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Wednesday issued a direct threat to two conservative Supreme Court justices, warning that they better not rule against abortion, or else.

In a rant directly in front of the steps of the Supreme Court, Senator Schumer angrily pointed to the court, pounded his fist and said, “I want to tell you Gorsuch. I want to tell you Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price! You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.” 

The case that was before the court on Wednesday is June Medical Services v. Russo. It involves a Louisiana law that requires abortionists to obtain admitting privileges to a nearby hospital. While pro-abortion lobbyists argue the law is meant only to restrict a woman’s access to abortion, in reality it exists to protect women from unsafe abortion practices.

The Daily Citizen recently examined the controversy in the case, and what’s at stake for pro-life supporters. 

It seems Senator Schumer has forgotten the concept of an independent, impartial judiciary. Thankfully, due to the brilliance of the constitution’s Framers, Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. Short of impeachment, there is nothing that Senator Schumer can do to impact the ruling of any justice. His threat is nothing more than empty words.

In an extremely rare public rebuke of Senator Schumer’s comments, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a press release which called his remarks “inappropriate” and “dangerous.”

“This morning, Senator Schumer spoke at a rally in front of the Supreme Court while a case was being argued inside. Senator Schumer referred to two members of the court by name and said he wanted to tell them that ‘You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,’” Chief Justice Roberts began. 

“Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All members of the court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter,” the Chief Justice concluded. 

One of the hallmarks of our representative forms of government is an independent judiciary.

In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton said that the judiciary is the least dangerous of the three branches of government since it can exercise neither force nor will, but merely judgement. “Liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone but would have everything to fear from its union with either of the other departments,” Hamilton wrote.

In his direct threat to two of the court’s justices, Senator Schumer attempted to do exactly want Alexander Hamilton warned against. 

He should take a hint from the Founders, quit tyrannically threatening other branches of government, and stay in the lane where he belongs.

 

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