The Amy Coney Barrett Clip That Will Have SCOTUS Followers Talking

Last night’s presidential address to Congress was something to behold — if you’re into bearing witness to the death throes of American democracy. Most notable for (Supreme) Court watchers was, of course, the exchange between President Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts when Trump marked the Chief as a made man. It was a shockingly honest moment, one that ripped the bandage off the illusion of separation of powers.

But on social media, folks have zoomed in on the C-SPAN footage and caught Amy Coney Barrett’s reaction.

Coney Barrett looks like she just stepped in some dog shit. Which, in a manner of speaking…

That familiar look Coney Barrett give Trump seems to indicate a growing schism between the justice and the far right of the GOP. Pulling away from the more extreme positions of her colleagues on the Court has been a theme for the Trump-appointee in recent decisions. And it’s given the left hope that the Court isn’t already in the bag for whatever harebrained constitutional scheme Project 2025 can dream up. But despite the math problem (one vote isn’t much of swing when there are six Republican-appointed justices on the Court), it also requires a fair amount of self-delusion and ignores the devastating impact of Coney Barrett’s vote on reproductive freedom.

So, whatever Coney Barrett’s thoughts on Donald Trump, it’s not a silver bullet that will save America. But given the immense power she holds as one of nine on the Court, it’s comforting to think Coney Barrett has some sense of exactly who Trump is.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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