Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett talks about her new publication on Constitution Day, maintaining a polite demeanor in the courtroom.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Discusses Her Journey and Role on the Bench
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett recently spoke at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center on Constitution Day, discussing her new book and her role on the nation's highest court.
Barrett, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2020, has made headlines for her conservative views and her role in several landmark cases. One of her most notable decisions was siding with the court's conservative majority to allow the Trump administration to work towards banning birthright citizenship.
Barrett's book, "Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution," provides insight into her journey to the Supreme Court, her daily life on the bench while raising seven children, and her experiences with media scrutiny. However, the book does not delve into her opinions regarding the use of the emergency docket or maintaining cordiality between justices.
Barrett served as a law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia early in her career, and she is an inherent practitioner of originalism, a theory followed by Scalia, where the Constitution is interpreted as it would have been understood by those who ratified it at the time. Barrett favors "original public meaning" over "original intent" in her approach to originalism.
In her discussion at the National Constitution Center, Barrett emphasized the importance of stability, civility, and collegiality on the Supreme Court. She stated that writing an opinion on which she can get a majority takes time, and the process of writing opinions can be very arduous.
Barrett has debated opinions and decisions with her colleagues, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Notably, she recused herself from a case where the Supreme Court ultimately blocked the funding of a religious charter school in Oklahoma.
Barrett's appointment to the Supreme Court has been controversial, and her background has been the subject of much speculation. However, there is no relevant information available about the background of her decision to study at the University of Notre Dame Law School. When speaking with the center's CEO Jeffrey Rosen, Barrett discussed her decision to attend Notre Dame Law School after majoring in English literature at Rhodes College, stating that she loved the idea of the law.
In addition to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who spoke at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia about her new children's book, Barrett's book has inspired conversations about the role of the Constitution and the court in the lives of both lawyers and non-lawyers. Barrett's book was inspired by Justice Scalia's efforts to bring the Constitution and the court to the people.
Barrett defended the court's use of emergency rulings, stating that they are an essential tool for addressing pressing issues that require immediate attention. She is part of the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade and gutting affirmative action, decisions that have sparked controversy and debate.
Overall, Barrett's book provides a unique glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most influential justices on the Supreme Court today. As she continues to serve on the court, her opinions and decisions will undoubtedly continue to shape American law and society.
