Department of Justice Launches Criminal Investigation Into Supreme Court Leak

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation to identify the source of the 2022 leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion regarding the Dobbs v. Jackson case. The draft, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, was published by Politico in May 2022, revealing the Court's intention to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and prosecutor Carlton Davis are reportedly leading the new inquiry.

Following the initial leak, the Supreme Court conducted its own internal investigation but announced in 2023 that it could not identify the individual responsible. The disclosure of the draft preceded a period of heightened tension, including protests at the homes of justices and acts of vandalism against churches and pro-life organizations. Notably, in June 2022, Nicholas Roske was arrested and later sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Legal observers note that the current federal investigation may involve a review of internal records belonging to the justices, prompting discussions regarding the separation of powers between the judicial and executive branches.