Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is rejecting claims that the Court is controlled by partisan politics. In a Fox News interview tied to the release of her new book, Listening to the Law, Barrett said the justices “wear black, not red or blue,” underscoring her view that the Court’s mission is rooted in constitutional law rather than political loyalty.
Barrett addressed the frequent criticism that the Court is split along party lines. She explained that new clerks are often surprised to discover how different the reality inside the Court is compared to the public perception. According to Barrett, while outcomes in controversial cases often fuel accusations of partisanship, the justices approach their work as neutral arbiters, not political actors.
When asked about the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Barrett clarified that the ruling did not outlaw abortion but returned the issue to the democratic process. She said the Court’s role was to interpret the Constitution, not to impose policy preferences, and emphasized that Dobbs restored authority to state legislatures and the people.
Barrett also pointed to the enduring influence of the Court’s rulings beyond current administrations. She noted that decisions today will guide the presidency and the country for years to come, further demonstrating the Court’s responsibility to rule with consistency rather than political expedience.
The justice additionally raised concerns about safety, warning that threats against federal judges have sharply increased. She stated that violence should never be considered an acceptable “cost of public service,” urging Americans to respect judicial independence and the rule of law.
Barrett’s comments highlight the Court’s efforts to defend its legitimacy amid rising political hostility and ongoing public distrust of its decisions. Her reminder that justices wear black robes—not partisan colors—serves as a symbolic rejection of efforts to paint the Court as a political branch.
