The [Supreme] Court easily could have let the lower court ruling against Trump [having presidential immunity] stand, but Roberts orchestrated a ruling that effectively pardoned Trump retrospectively and prospectively. That unprecedented and partisan edict paved the way for Trump’s return to power.
The Constitution provides zero immunity for presidents from criminal prosecution. But John Roberts chose to be the kingmaker, giving Trump king-like powers last year, and then this year mowing down well-founded and well-grounded temporary restraining orders [that allowed] an array of unilateral and extreme dictates to proceed — even though doing so will cause irreparable harm [by letting Trump] transgress constitutional provisions, laws passed by Congress and long-standing legal precedents.
He used to be moderated at least somewhat by concern for his legacy. I think that the abortion ruling ended that. He knows that that ruling is going to be talked about in a similar manner to Dredd Scott and that it alone would nullify anything that could be argued as a restained and responsible exercise of judicial power. When you sign on to a partisan ruling that strips fundamental rights you give up on legacy. Now that that’s not a concern anymore what he’s protecting is his position in the conservative movement. He wants to make sure he stays in a position of power when the Nazis take over.
Huh… that sounds about right.
Alito, for instance, was always a demagogic piece of shit, and Thomas was always a corrupt piece of shit, but for a while there, Roberts was a relatively decent justice, all things considered. But no more - now he’s at least as corrupt/compromised as the rest of them. But I was never quite sure how that happened, and that’s a plausible explanation.