‘The chief justice appointed an internal committee to oversee the investigation,’ Justice Gorsuch told the 10th Circuit Bench and Bar Conference in Colorado Springs, according to the Wall Street Journal. ‘That committee has been busy and we’re looking forward to their report, I hope soon.’
It was Gorsuch’s first public comment on the matter since the late June ruling.
The Trump-nominated justice did not say whether the report would be made public.
Justices have roundly condemned the leak, Gorsuch included, and suggested it was intended to sway their decision in the abortion case.
‘Improper efforts to influence judicial decision making, from whatever side, are a threat’ to the judicial process, he said.
‘They inhibit our capacity to communicate with one another’ in a way that ‘improves our final products,’ Gorsuch added. ‘I very much hope we get to the bottom of this sooner or later.’
A majority draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court would overturn Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was leaked in May, before the final decision was released on June 24.
Such a leak is unprecedented and Chief Justice John Roberts ordered the court’s marshal to investigate. There have been few updates on the probe.
Justice Neil Gorsuch said he and his fellow justices could gain more insight on the leak that sent shockwaves across the nation ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
Before the final ruling in Mississippi v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was made public on June 24, a majority draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court would reverse Roe was leaked in May.
Fox News was previously informed by sources that the probe into the approximately 70 people who may have had access to the information has become more focused. When court investigators mandated that justices’ law clerks appear for interviews and turn in their mobile phones in June, some clerks sought legal help.
Gorsuch joined four of his colleagues in the June 24 vote to reverse the historic ruling that allowed abortion before viability in all 50 states.
Twelve states now ban abortions, and two more have a six-week moratorium. Since the ruling, it is anticipated that more abortion bans or limitations would be enacted in nearly half of the states.
Following the judgment and the leak, pro-choice activists demonstrated outside the homes of conservative justices, and some even made threats.
In October, the Supreme Court will reconvene for another session.