In rare interviews, Alito defends court’s independence, reflects on impact of Dobbs leak

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito expressed concern about efforts to intimidate the court and its justices during interviews released at the start of the 2026-2027 term. Speaking to CBS and Fox, Alito addressed rhetoric from elected officials and the potential impact on the court's ability to decide cases independently.

Alito told Fox that there has been a concerted effort to influence justices to decide cases differently than they have been deciding them. He noted that both the Biden and Trump administrations have used harsh criticism when unhappy with court decisions. He described the court as a fundamental institution for protecting the constitutional structure and the rights of Americans.

These interviews coincided with the release of his book, So Ordered: An Originalist’s View of the Constitution, the Court and Our Country.