UPDATE: Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance has sharply criticized the majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices for their absence during a critical period for American democracy. In a compelling Substack post, Vance highlighted the urgency of their engagement, pointing to Chief Justice John Roberts’ recent year-end report as falling short of expectations during a time when the Court’s voice is “desperately needed.”
Roberts’ 2025 report, released on Friday, arrives amid escalating scrutiny of the Supreme Court, intensified by political pressures from Donald Trump‘s administration and growing public skepticism regarding judicial independence. This report, spanning 13 pages, emphasized the historical significance of judicial independence, life tenure, and salary protections for judges, yet notably sidestepped contemporary political conflicts, including Trump’s previous public criticisms and calls for the impeachment of federal judges.
Vance called attention to an alarming image included in the report—an empty courtroom—stating, “The past decade has made it clear that our institutions are only as strong as the people in them.” She asserted that this image symbolizes the justices’ failure to respond adequately to the challenges posed by Trump. “The Court has been either unwilling or incapable of meeting the challenge to democracy that Donald Trump poses,” Vance declared.
“What is a Chief Justice to say in troubled times? It’s the role of the Court to stay out of politics. Still, we’re entitled to expect more from a man who has risen to the highest judicial office in America,” Vance concluded, demanding a more courageous stance from Roberts.
Roberts, in his report, invoked the words of former President Calvin Coolidge, emphasizing the need to find solace in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution amid political discord. He referenced historical precedents, including the 1805 impeachment of Justice Samuel Chase, to illustrate the importance of judicial independence free from political retribution.
Critics, including former U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade, expressed disappointment that Roberts did not more forcefully advocate for judicial independence in light of current political threats. “He buried the lead,” McQuade noted, suggesting that a stronger defense of the judiciary was warranted as America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026.
The Supreme Court is bracing for a pivotal 2026 docket, which will address major cases related to presidential authority and immigration limits. As these developments unfold, the urgency for the justices to actively engage with the pressing issues of our time becomes increasingly critical.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, the question remains: Will the Supreme Court rise to the occasion? The implications for American democracy hang in the balance.