While the mainstream media whips the population up into a frenzy over the Supreme Court, which has long been one of the nation’s most venerable institutions, the justices have taken it upon themselves to combat disinformation, especially in light of the White House’s apparent complicity in assailing the Supreme Court and its reputation.
Specifically, recently retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has decided to become the honorary co-chairman of a nonpartisan group which is dedicated to educating individuals about the Constitution.
Breyer will join alongside Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019. According to an announcement from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, both Breyer and Gorsuch will serve as spokesmen for civics education, as well as basic civility in politics.
The decision for both justices to work together is especially critical, or “meaningful,” during a time that is highly “polarized,” per the CEO and president of the center, Jeffrey Rosen.
Breyer, who is 84 years old, retired at the end of June after serving on the court for 28 years. His position was filled by Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson, who is considered the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
This characterization is somewhat ironic, given that Jackson refused to define the word “woman” during her confirmation hearings.
Breyer has long argued for the public to see the Supreme Court Justices as individuals that are more than “politicians in robes,” and the objective of the joint venture is to help achieve that perception amongst the public.
In recent times, public opinion regarding the Supreme Court has worsened, though this decline in approval strongly correlates with negative coverage from the media, which exacerbates negativity in public perceptions.
However, the Supreme Court itself believes in the importance of civics and civility, even if the media does not.
“Despite the strong disagreements on the court, Justices Breyer and Gorsuch, like all their colleagues, unite around a shared belief that civics are necessary for the future of the republic,” Rosen remarked.