Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Restrictions in Major Blow for Pro-Life Conservatives

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Louisiana’s restrictions on abortion it a major ruling that will be seen as a huge defeat for Pro-Life conservatives. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberals in delivering the majority ruling.

Breyer writes the lead opinion for the four liberal justices. Roberts concurs in the judgment on grounds of stare decisis, finding that Whole Woman's Health (from which he dissented) obviously controls. Here is Roberts' kicker. https://t.co/QGBYA7716K pic.twitter.com/QAYFPcbTll

— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) June 29, 2020

This is the third time in recent weeks that Roberts – a conservative appointed by President George W. Bush – has joined the liberals and delivered a decisive vote. In this case, Roberts agreed with a legal principle that similar cases should be treated similarly. He therefore agreed to be bound by a ruling he had previously dissented from.

Justice Stephen Breyer authored the majority opinion, while the four conservative justices dissented, including those appointed by President Donald Trump. One of Trump’s major selling points to conservatives is his promise to put socially conservative justices on the bench.

However, the President’s supporters have been frustrated with recent Supreme Court decisions on LGBT rights and Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In both cases, Chief Justice Roberts voted with the liberals, while in the LGBT rights case, Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority opinion.