Roberts Tries to Stay Above Fray as High Court’s Standing Falls

The US Supreme Court faces plummeting public opinion, an unresolved leak investigation, and a wave of ethics concerns, but Chief Justice John Roberts has addressed little of it head on.

He’s spoken only twice publicly in the past year, both before friendly audiences. And his annual report, which is typically a chance to update the public on the state of the judiciary, made bigger headlines for its failure to discuss any of the issues now plaguing the institution.

Those who study the court say Roberts’ approach is deliberate. It’s meant to “keep the ship moving forward” while the court ...