Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh Addresses Rising Federal Judiciary Tensions, Urges Continued Work

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh addressed growing tensions between the Supreme Court and lower federal courts during a speech at the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, calling for greater mutual understanding and support among judges. He acknowledged the challenges trial judges face making rapid decisions in high-profile cases and likened the Supreme Court's role to referees reviewing plays from a replay booth, highlighting the difficulty of reaching consensus among nine justices. Kavanaugh praised Chief Justice John Roberts' leadership in managing the Court's internal dynamics, despite criticism from President Donald Trump and his administration. The Supreme Court has faced public criticism and declining approval ratings amid contentious rulings on emergency applications related to Trump's executive actions, with some lower court judges expressing frustration over the Court's opaque emergency orders. Kavanaugh emphasized that some Supreme Court decisions reflect compromises that can appear vague and urged judges to continue their work to uphold the Constitution and maintain trust in the judiciary. His remarks aim to deescalate tensions within the judiciary and underscore the importance of cooperation across courts during a politically charged period.