Supreme Court Leaks ‘Super Rare,’ Serve ‘Ulterior Purposes’

The U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t leak. It just doesn’t.

Except when it does.

Compared to other branches of government, the work of the highest court in the land is notable for the degree to which the justices are able keep their deliberations private.

So when information seeps out, like it did this week, court watchers pay attention, to say the least. Former clerks describe a strict culture of confidentiality and observers express alarm about the sanctity of a cloistered court.

A Sept. 12 CNN report gave a rare glimpse behind the curtain, alleging that Chief Justice John Roberts changed his ...