Supreme Court Justices Barrett and Kavanaugh Rally Conservative Lawyers amidst Criticism
WASHINGTON – Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh urged attendees of the Federalist society’s annual convention to remain steadfast in their principles despite facing criticism, according to remarks made thursday. The justices’ comments come as the Supreme Court,and its conservative majority,navigates a period of historically low public approval and ongoing scrutiny over landmark decisions.
The event saw both justices address concerns raised about the challenges conservative students encounter in law school, linking the dynamic to the broader criticism leveled against the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court – particularly following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.Protests occurred at the justices’ homes for months after the decision, and Kavanaugh was the target of an attempted assassination in 2022.
Justice Kavanaugh highlighted lessons learned from his role model, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, emphasizing the importance of resilience. “He taught us also what it meant to have a backbone,what it meant to withstand withering criticism,what it meant to be fearless,what it meant to stand up for his principles even when they weren’t popular,” kavanaugh said. “Especially when they weren’t popular.”
Justice Samuel Alito, also a member of the court’s conservative bloc, attended the event but did not speak.
The Federalist Society, founded to provide a voice for conservative law students, has become a key networking and ideological hub for conservative legal professionals. The justices’ appearance at the convention underscores the institution’s influence within the conservative legal movement and the ongoing efforts to bolster support for conservative judicial principles.
