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John Roberts Seen as 'Most Influential' Chief Justice in Nearly a Century

Masood Farivar

   WASHINGTON - After 15 years on the bench, Chief Justice John Roberts
   has emerged as what many legal experts describe as the most influential
   head of the Supreme Court since the 1940s.

   With two of its nine members appointed by President Donald Trump, the
   conservative-dominated court was thought by many to be drifting far to
   the right and threatening to undo progressive social policies.

   Instead, during its 2019-2020 term, which concluded last week, the
   court under Roberts defied Trump and his conservative allies in a
   string of cases, casting a light on the otherwise conservative chief
   justice's inclination and ability to achieve consensus.

   These opinions struck down a Louisiana abortion law, expanded
   protections for LGBTQ people, and kept intact a government program for
   young undocumented immigrants. In two other cases on the final day of
   the court's term, the justices rejected Trump's claims of immunity from
   subpoena for his financial records.

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