On Thursday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a request from Senate Democrats for a meeting to discuss flags seen flying at Justice Samuel Alito‘s homes that have drawn ethics complaints from the Left.
Roberts conveyed his message in a brief letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D‑IL) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D‑RI), chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts,” who sent a missive last week asking for an audience with the chief justice.
“I must respectfully decline your request for a meeting,” Roberts said, adding later, “Separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence counsel against such appearances.”
He continued, “Moreover, the format proposed — a meeting with leaders of only one party who have expressed an interest in matters currently pending before the Court — simply underscores that participating in such a meeting would be inadvisable.”
The controversy took …