A leaked draft opinion allegedly authored by conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito that appears to overturn the controversial Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide has sparked hysteria among far-left, pro-abortion factions and activist groups as well as pro-abortion politicians and governors.
Many have argued that a leak of this nature from the U.S. Supreme Court is unprecedented in American history and “extremely harmful to the Court,” according to South Texas College of Law Professor Josh Blackman. Speculation has erupted into the nature and origin of the leaked document, which is dated February 10, 2022.
It’s impossible to overstate the earthquake this will cause inside the Court, in terms of the destruction of trust among the Justices and staff. This leak is the gravest, most unforgivable sin.
— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022
President Biden released a statement on the leaked document stating it is still unclear if the “draft is genuine, or whether it reflects the final decision of the Court.” Nevertheless, Biden notes that his administration strongly supports the Roe v. Wade decision, and believes “that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental” and that “basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned.”
Biden stated that should Roe v. Wade be overturned, “it will fall upon our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose.”
“And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November,” Biden continued. “At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.”
My statement on the reported Supreme Court decision draft. pic.twitter.com/Kt3bP0kzqU
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2022
Liberal Democrat governors, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, have vowed to enshrine the ability to perform abortions in their states into law, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the Supreme Court decision.
NEW: We are proposing an amendment to enshrine the right to choose in the California constitution.
We can’t trust SCOTUS to protect the right to abortion, so we’ll do it ourselves.
Women will remain protected here. https://t.co/WTUpfymLS0
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) May 3, 2022
New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected.
Just as the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp tall in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for what’s right — unafraid and undeterred.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 3, 2022
The Supreme Court recently confirmed the authenticity of Justice Alito’s draft opinion, clarifying however that “it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.” Chief Justice Roberts has also ordered the Marshal of the Court to investigate the source of the leak.
JUST IN: The Supreme Court confirms the authenticity of the draft opinion revealed last night by Politico. The chief justice has ordered an investigation into the leak. pic.twitter.com/XZweHdyhCG
— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) May 3, 2022
Protests outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. have already commenced, and the radical activist group ShutDownDC has announced a rally scheduled to begin at 5 pm Eastern on Tuesday, May 3.
Here's what's happening at #SCOTUS from 5-9 tonight. If you can't make it in person, sign up to watch here: https://t.co/N6DhnAdQOT#BansOffOurBodies #BansOffMyBody #SupportBlackWomen pic.twitter.com/WyPYsl8ge1
— ShutDownDC (@ShutDown_DC) May 3, 2022
Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, the abortion issue would be settled at the state level. Certain conservative states may seek to outlaw the controversial practice altogether, while other more liberal states – such as New York and California – would ensure women could receive abortions legally.
