Justice Gorsuch is making the rounds in the media ahead of his book launch. Yesterday, he had an interview with the Wall Street Journal, and today, David French of the New York Times published a transcript of their conversation. When a Justice receives a book deal with a large advance, it often leads to media interviews in Supreme Court chambers. This free press, although indirectly purchased through book advances, highlights the need to consider capping royalties for Justices. French and Gorsuch discussed lessons learned from the COVID cases, emphasizing the need for reflection on the decisions made during that time.
The conversation also delved into the concept of collegiality among Supreme Court Justices. Justice Kagan’s view on collegiality, which includes being open to persuasion, contrasts with Justice Gorsuch’s belief that collegiality primarily involves working well together and finding common ground. Gorsuch pointed out that the Court often reaches unanimous decisions, showcasing their ability to collaborate despite differing perspectives. He highlighted the importance of considering the facts of a case and the arguments presented, rather than personal persuasions, in determining outcomes.
Regarding Justice Kagan’s ethics proposal, Gorsuch noted that recent political developments have shifted the discourse on the subject, making it challenging to comment at the moment. The conversation also touched on the evolving dynamics within the Court and the impact of external factors on decision-making processes.
