Chief Justice Roberts Defends Judiciary Independence in Buffalo Speech

BUFFALO, New York — Chief Justice John Roberts made a rare public appearance on Wednesday night, addressing a gathering to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

Roberts reiterated his stance against calls from President Donald Trump to impeach judges, particularly Judge James Boasberg, who ruled against the administration’s immigration policies in March. “Impeachment is not how you register disagreement with decisions,” Roberts stated during a discussion with Judge Lawrence Vilardo from the district court.

The event drew hundreds of judges, lawyers, and legal professionals. Roberts took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of judicial independence, labeling it “central” to the constitutional system. “The judiciary is a co-equal branch of government… with the authority to interpret the Constitution as law,” he said.

Responding to concerns about the Supreme Court’s handling of controversial decisions, he acknowledged the necessity for the court to occasionally overturn earlier rulings, but noted that this does not happen frequently. “The number of important ones that would be subject to overruling are the same… it’s the lowest it’s been since the ’50s,” he added.

During the talk, Roberts commented on the implications of major case rulings like the 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. He asserted that changing precedent is sometimes warranted but must be approached carefully, saying, “The law is supposed to be predictable.”

Discussing his decision-making process, Roberts emphasized that judicial rulings should focus on the intent of the law’s authors rather than potential real-world consequences. He expressed confidence in the necessity of an independent judiciary, stating, “That innovation doesn’t work if the judiciary is not independent.”

When asked about the possibility of retirement, Roberts noted he currently feels healthy but would consider it if his health changes. He briefly recounted his upbringing in Buffalo and noted his friendship with Judge Vilardo.

Earlier in the day, Chief Judge Elizabeth Wolford spoke about the challenges district judges face amid Trump’s criticisms. “Judicial safety, judicial security, is something that we’re always cognizant of,” she remarked, underscoring the importance of judges’ roles in upholding the rule of law, regardless of who is in the White House.