Court is not insulated from politics

Jay Kacena has it completely backward regarding the Supreme Court (“Biden criticism inflames politicization of the courts” July 3). Kacena argues that “SCOTUS justices are insulated from politics” and Biden, Pelosi, and Schumer have destroyed our faith in the independence of the court by criticizing its recent reversal of Roe.

Kacena tries to give a constitutional lesson on the court’s independence, but it’s a hollow lesson.

If the court is insulated from politics, how do we explain McConnell and Grassley depriving the well-qualified Merrick Garland of a hearing? Garland was properly and legally nominated nine months before the 2016 election, but they would not allow hearings because it was an election year. Conservatives then shamelessly rushed Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination through in record time, voting just before the 2020 election.

In their confirmation hearings, Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito all said that Roe v. Wade was settled precedent and the law of the land they would respect. Susan Collins has rightfully suggested that Kavanaugh lied under oath to her and to Congress.

Or let’s consider Clarence Thomas. His wife is an activist who promoted overturning the legal election of Joe Biden in 2020, yet Thomas refuses to recuse himself from any cases involving that election.

No, Kacena has it backward. It’s not criticism of the court that erodes our faith; it’s brazenly dishonest conservatives who have made a mockery of the court.

Glenn Freeman

Mount Vernon