Chief justice calls for judicial independence amid growing political criticism of federal courts

Chief Justice John Roberts asserted the independence of the federal courts from what he called "inappropriate political influence."

"Decisional independence is essential to due process, promoting impartial decision-making, free from political or other extraneous influence," said Roberts. Of equal importance, "The Judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and co-equal branch of government."

Roberts, who has led the court since 2005, made his remarks on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Judicial Conference, the federal courts' internal administrative and policy-making body, led by the chief justice and composed of rotating federal judges.