In a rare public reflection ahead of his memoir release, former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy voices concern that political division and coarsened public dialogue—fueled in part by the Trump era—are eroding trust in democracy and the judiciary.
WASHINGTON | In a candid and sobering interview ahead of the release of his memoir “Life, Law & Liberty,” retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy expressed deep concern about the decline of civility and the encroachment of partisanship within the American judicial system and political discourse.
“The justices have to resist thinking of themselves as being partisan,” Kennedy told The Associated Press from his Supreme Court chambers. “In our current discourse, it seems to me, partisanship is creeping its way into the court.”
A Troubled View of Modern Politics and Public Language
Kennedy—who served as a pivotal swing vote on landmark cases involving abortion, gay rights, and campaign finance—pointed to the “vulgar and vile” language dominating today’s political rhetoric. From members of Congress using profanity in public to former President Donald Trump’s frequent inflammatory remarks, Kennedy said he is “concerned, worried, disappointed.”
“The rest of the world looks to us to see how free speech works, how democracy works,” he added. “They will not be impressed by what they see.”
