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Roberts Rejects Partisan Label, Orders Oral Argument Review

5/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Chief Justice John Roberts said the view of the Supreme Court as partisan distorts its judicial function.
Roberts defended the Court against bias accusations and will review oral-argument length after a woman asked him to speak more clearly.
Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Samuel Alito voiced views, with Jackson urging the Court stay neutral after Voting Rights Act decision and Alito warning it must not avoid action because partisan criticism.

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Story summary

Chief Justice John Roberts said the view of the Supreme Court as partisan distorts its judicial function.
Roberts defended the Court against bias accusations and will review oral-argument length after a woman asked him to speak more clearly.
Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Samuel Alito voiced views, with Jackson urging the Court stay neutral after Voting Rights Act decision and Alito warning it must not avoid action because partisan criticism.