Justice Barrett: Unshaken by Protests and Threats

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has become a familiar figure to protesters, whether she's at a book event or just going about her daily life. The protests have become so routine that she hardly notices them anymore. She's more concerned with practical matters, like whether the entrances are blocked. This calm demeanor is a far cry from how she might have reacted before joining the Supreme Court. The protests against conservative justices have been particularly intense since the Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Barrett, who played a key role in that decision, has been a target of much of the anger. But she's not letting it get to her. She's not afraid, she says. She's not going to let threats control her life. Barrett's approach to the law is as disciplined as her approach to life. She's analytical and methodical, focusing on the issue at hand rather than getting sidetracked by broader implications. This has sometimes put her at odds with her more impulsive conservative colleagues. As a former law professor, Barrett brings a formalistic and technical approach to the Court. She's not afraid to disagree with her colleagues, even when it means going against the grain. She's also not afraid to stand up for her beliefs, even when they're at odds with her personal views. Barrett's critics span the political spectrum. Some see her as a conservative icon, while others see her as a traitor to the cause. But Barrett doesn't let the criticism get to her. She's focused on the law, not on the politics. She's not going to let the noise distract her from her job. Barrett's book, "Listening to the Law, " is an attempt to correct some of the misperceptions about the Court. She wants to explain how the justices interpret the Constitution and the differences between conservative and liberal philosophies. She's part teacher, part tour guide, taking the reader inside the Court and highlighting some of its most controversial decisions. Barrett's approach to the law is rooted in originalism, a method that focuses on the Constitution's original meaning. She was drawn to this approach when she read Justice Scalia's opinions in law school. She was frustrated with the liberal decisions of the Warren Court, which she found to be "unmoored. " Scalia's opinions, with their originalist framework, made sense to her. Barrett's critics aren't convinced by her approach. But she's not letting that stop her. She's focused on the law, not on the politics. She's not going to let the noise distract her from her job.