At a Glance
- Chief Justice John Roberts affirms the Constitution as “firm and unshaken” in his annual letter.
- The letter follows a year of Supreme Court battles, including Trump-aligned wins on immigration and military policy.
- Roberts urges judges to uphold the oath “to the poor and to the rich” amid partisan tensions.
- Why it matters: The message reinforces the judiciary’s role in a polarized era.
Chief Justice Roberts reaffirmed constitutional stability in his annual letter, citing a Coolidge quote and emphasizing the enduring strength of founding documents. The letter comes after a turbulent year marked by high-stakes Supreme Court rulings and political pressure from the Trump administration.
Roberts Reaffirms Constitutional Stability
Roberts wrote that the nation’s founding documents remain “firm and unshaken,” echoing President Coolidge‘s words, “True then; true now.”
Chief Justice John Roberts stated:
> “True then; true now”
He also recalled a 19th-century case that protects judges from removal over contentious rulings and urged judges to decide cases “according to our oath, doing equal right to the poor and to the rich, and performing all of our duties faithfully and impartially under the Constitution and laws of the United States.”
He also highlighted the 1776 pamphlet Common Sense by Thomas Paine, describing it as a seminal work that helped shape the nation’s founding.
Supreme Court Actions in 2025
The Supreme Court‘s conservative majority delivered two dozen wins for the Trump administration, including:
- banning transgender people from the military
- clawing back billions of dollars of congressionally approved federal spending
- advancing immigration restrictions
- dismissing Senate-confirmed leaders of independent federal agencies
It also handed Trump a few defeats, notably over his push to deploy the National Guard to U.S. cities.
Future Cases on the Horizon
The next year will see arguments over Trump’s attempts to end birthright citizenship and whether he can unilaterally impose tariffs on hundreds of countries. Roberts’ letter made only brief references to these issues, focusing instead on historical foundations.
Key Takeaways
- Roberts’ letter reinforces the Constitution’s role amid partisan politics.
- The Supreme Court has secured numerous Trump-aligned victories in 2025.
- Upcoming 2026 cases could reshape citizenship and trade policies.
The letter underscores the judiciary’s enduring commitment to the Constitution, even as political tensions mount.
