-Threatening two U.S. Supreme Court justices by name is a serious matter. But is it criminal?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stepped very close to the line of felonious conduct. Whether he crossed that line is debatable.
Speaking at a rally of abortion rights supporters Wednesday in front of the Supreme Court, Schumer deliberately inflamed the crowd by taking direct aim at two of the justices appointed by President Trump – Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. The rally was held as the high court was hearing arguments on a controversial Louisiana abortion access law.
"I want to tell you Gorsuch," Schumer said, "I want to tell you Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."
What exactly was Schumer saying? Was he implying that if the justices voted in favor of the Louisiana law that retribution in the form of violence should or would be visited upon them? Did his audience infer it?
An incensed Chief Justice John Roberts responded with a rare rebuke of a member of Congress when he issued a statement that read, in part:
"Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous...
Gregg Jarrett: Schumer threat to Supreme Court justices might be a crime – Senate should censure him | Fox News