Roe v. Wade: Trump Says Leak Won't Have Big Effect on Midterms; Obama Rips Draft

Trump Says Leak Won't Have Big Effect on Midterms; Obama Pans Draft

Former President Donald Trump said the Supreme Court leak sets a dangerous precedent for the high court, but he predicted the issue will not have a major effect on the 2022 midterm elections.

"It was so surprising to see coming out of the Supreme Court, because Washington is a city of leaks and yet the Supreme Court, I've never seen a leak and people haven't seen leaks and that's for decades, so it was so surprising to see," Trump told Fox News on Tuesday.

"I don't think it is going to have a tremendous effect. I will say, I have seen more passion on the right, at least up until this point, I can't say what is going to happen now," he said, adding that it's "too early to tell."

Prominent Democrats and pro-choice activists blamed Trump for the draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as he appointed three conservative justices to the high court during his presidency. He has given several conflicting opinions on abortion rights over the last two decades but ran his presidential campaign on being pro-life.

Also on Tuesday, former President Barack Obama issued a statement condemning the draft decision.

"Today, millions of Americans woke up fearing that their essential freedoms under the Constitution were at risk," Obama said in a statement posted to Twitter. "If the Supreme Court ultimately decides to overturn the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, then it will not only reverse nearly 50 years of precedent — it will relegate the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues."

Man Whose Case Legalized Gay Marriage Warns Court Will Go After LGBTQ Next

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage, warned Tuesday that the high court might soon go after LGBTQ rights.

Obergefell said the leaked draft showing the court's intention to strike down Roe v. Wade marks a violation of "basic human rights." He added that he fears marriage equality could soon be targeted, as well.

"Our most basic human rights are under siege. Family planning decisions are central to personal dignity and autonomy, and any decision that takes that decision away from the person/family impacted is wrong," Obergefell tweeted.

"I'm also concerned that members of this extreme court are eager to turn their attention to overturning marriage equality," he added in a separate post.

Obergefell announced earlier this year that he is running for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Gavin Newsom Pledges to 'Build Firewall' to Protect Abortion Rights

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and other top officials in California proposed new legislation that they say will "build a firewall" for abortion rights.

Newsom, state Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said the legislation is meant "to enshrine the right to choose in our state constitution so that there is no doubt as to the right to abortion in this state."

"California will not stand idly by as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased," the officials added in a joint statement. "We know we can't trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here."

For Newsweek's full reporting on California's proposed legislation, read here.

DeSantis Calls Leak 'Judicial Insurrection,' Says Leaker Must Be Found

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis described the leak as an attack against the Supreme Court and said the person responsible for it must be found.

"I think it was an intentional thing to try to whip up a lot of the public to try and make it very political, potentially try to bully them into changing one of their positions," DeSantis said at a press briefing in Fort Myers Beach.

"I know they launched an investigation. They need to figure out who did that and they need to hold them accountable. Because that's a real significant breach of trust. You want to talk about an insurrection? That's a judicial insurrection," he added.

Last month, DeSantis signed into law a controversial ban on abortions that prohibits the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, Newsweek previously reported. The Republican governor said the law represents some of "the most significant protections for life" that have ever been enacted in the state. Prior to the new law, Florida allowed abortions until 24 weeks.

Red States Preparing to Quickly Make Abortions Illegal

More than a dozen Republican-led states are preparing to fast-track abortion bans if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court.

States are able to do this through the use of "trigger laws," which are preemptive and designed to go into effect as soon as the federal ruling is overturned.

Trigger laws are present in states including Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

An additional five states—Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin—have separate bans on abortion that predate Roe v. Wade that would again go into effect if the court overturns the landmark decision. Ultimately, that means abortions could become illegal across roughly half of the country.

Read the full Newsweek report on trigger laws here.

Missouri Vows to 'Immediately' Ban Most Abortions if Roe is Overturned

Eric Schmitt, Missouri's Republican attorney general, said the state is prepared to "immediately" ban most abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

"I'm encouraged by the draft opinion and it is consistent with the briefs we've submitted to the United States Supreme Court calling for Roe v. Wade to be overturned," Schmitt said in a statement Tuesday. "If Roe is overturned, I'm prepared to immediately issue the opinion that would protect the unborn in Missouri."

Schmitt is referring to a 2019 bill signed by Republican Governor Mike Parsons that would outlaw abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy in Missouri, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The bill was previously blocked by a federal judge and had been tied up in court battles, but if the Supreme Court votes to overturn the landmark abortion legislation, it will swiftly become the law.

Missouri's current laws outlaw abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy. The state has one abortion clinic, a Planned Parenthood in St. Louis.

Kamala Harris Responds to Leak, Says U.S. Must Fight With 'Everything We Have'

Vice President Kamala Harris responded to the leaked draft for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, saying that the nation must fight for abortion rights with "everything we have."

"Roe ensures a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. It also, at its root, protects the fundamental right to privacy. What is clear is that opponents of Roe want to punish women and take away their rights to make decisions about their own bodies," Harris said in the statement.

Harris, the first female vice president of the United States, added that now is the time to "fight for women."

"Republican legislators in states across the country are weaponizing the use of the law against women," she said. "The rights of all Americans are at risk...every person could face a future in which the government can potentially interfere in the personal decisions you make about your life."

Harris' comments come after President Joe Biden issued a statement hours earlier saying that he believes abortion is a fundamental human right. He added that his administration is preparing a response to continued attacks on abortion rights in state legislatures and in cases pending before the Supreme Court.

"We will be ready when any ruling is issued," he said.

For more information on Biden's stance on Roe v. Wade, read Newsweek's piece here.

D.C. Police Ramp Up Security, Close Roads in Response to Protests

Police across Washington, D.C., have added security measures and closed some roads as protesters continue to gather outside of the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Capitol Police tweeted Tuesday afternoon that they would temporarily close sections of First Street and East Capitol Street.

"Out of an abundance of caution, in order to keep the public safe, First Street is temporarily being closed between Constitution Avenue, NE and Independence Avenue, SE. East Capitol Street is also temporarily being closed between First Street and Second Street," they wrote on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department told CNN that the department is activating its Civil Disturbance Unit to manage protests. Hundreds of people have descended on the Supreme Court since late Monday, with protesters carrying pro-choice signs and chanting things like "abortion is health care."

Rep. Cori Bush, Who Has Had an Abortion, Says She's 'Broken Up' Over Leak

Democratic Representative Cori Bush, who is one of few lawmakers to publicly disclose that she has had an abortion, said the leaked draft has her "broken up."

"As much as we knew it was coming, how could it actually be a real thing? Who could be that cruel?" she said in an interview with the New York Times on Tuesday morning. "I'm pretty broken up. Whether you have an abortion, or whether you have the child, no one is on that table with you. No one is on that bed with you."

Bush, of Missouri, testified before the House Oversight Committee last fall that she chose to terminate her pregnancy after she was raped during a church trip as a teenager. She called it the "hardest decision" she's ever made, and joined two other Democratic lawmakers—Representatives Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Barbara Lee of California—in recounting their personal experiences.

"One of the first things that we have to do is make sure that people know that you're OK right now," Bush added on Tuesday. "And then also, looking at what we need to do—what are the urgent things that have to happen? There is yet still power in numbers...and we have to use that."

Justice Roberts Calls Leak 'Betrayal' and Announces Investigation

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said the leak marks a "betrayal" of the court, and announced that an investigation will be launched.

"To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way," Roberts said in a statement. "I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak."

The Supreme Court confirmed the authenticity of the Politico leak to reporters on Tuesday morning but noted that the draft does not represent a "final" decision.

"Justices circulate draft opinions internally as a routine and essential part of the Court's confidential deliberative work. Although the document described in yesterday's reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case," the court said in a statement.

Chuck Schumer Says Senate Will Vote to Codify Roe v. Wade

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the upper chamber will soon hold a vote to codify abortion rights, calling the draft leak "dark and disturbing."

"It is my intention for the Senate to hold a vote on legislation to codify the right to an abortion in law," he said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "A vote on this legislation is not an abstract exercise—this is as urgent and real as it gets. We will vote to protect a woman's right to choose, and every American is going to see which side every senator stands."

Schumer did not say when the vote would be held. However, the Senate failed to advance similar legislation earlier this year and will likely not have enough votes in the 50-50 chamber to codify Roe v. Wade now.

"Under this decision, our children will have less rights than their parents. The Republican-appointed justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade will go down as an abomination. One of the worst, most damaging decisions in modern history," Schumer added.

Draft 'Inconsistent' With Kavanaugh's Promises, Sen. Collins Says

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft on Roe v. Wade would be "inconsistent" with what Justices told her in private meetings during their confirmation hearings.

"If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office," she said in a statement.

"Obviously, we won't know each Justice's decision and reasoning until the Supreme Court officially announces its opinion in this case," she added.

Collins was a key vote in the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.

At the time, she told reporters that Kavanaugh agreed with Justice Roberts that Roe v. Wade was "settled law" during private discussions.

In an interview on CNN, Collins said, "I do not believe that Brett Kavanaugh will overturn Roe v. Wade."

She told 60 Minutes that she could not vote for a judge who demonstrated "hostility" to Roe v. Wade "because it would indicate a lack of respect of precent."

Mitch McConnell Calls Leak an 'Attack' on Court Independence

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called the leaked draft on the Roe decision "an attack on the independence of the Supreme Court."

"By every indication, this was yet another escalation in the radical left's ongoing campaign to bully and intimidate federal judges and substitute mob rule for the rule of law," he said in a statement Tuesday.

McConnell called statements from President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer "disgraceful" for refusing to defend judicial independence and the rule of law and instead deciding to "play into this toxic spectacle."

"Real leaders should defend the Court's independence," McConnell said.

He also called the leaking of the draft a "lawless action" that should be investigated and punished "as fully as possible."

"All nine Justices should tune out the bad-faith noise and feel totally free to do their jobs following the facts and the law where they lead," he added.

Biden Responds to Leaked SCOTUS Draft

President Joe Biden released a statement following the leak of a Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

While it is not clear yet whether this draft is "genuine" or reflects the Court's final decision, Biden said his administration strongly backs Roe.

"I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned," he said in a statement Tuesday.

Biden also said he directed his administration to prepare a response to continued attacks on abortion and reproductive rights in state legislatures and in pending cases before the Supreme Court.

"We will be ready when any ruling is issued," he said.

Finally, Biden said that if the Court does overturn Roe, "it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose."

He called on voters to elect pro-choice officials in November and for elected legislators to codify Roe, "which I will work to pass and sign into law," Biden added.

Lawmakers Must Protect 'a Woman's Right to Choose' If Roe v. Wade Overturned, Biden Says

U.S. President Joe Biden has said if the Supreme Court overturns 1973's Roe v. Wade ruling, the landmark case that made abortion legal in all U.S. states, it will fall upon all lawmakers "to protect a woman's right to choose."

His statement follows the leaking of an alleged draft majority decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Biden noted that it was too early to know whether the draft was genuine, or if it reflects the final decision of the Court.

"With that critical caveat, I want to be clear on three points about the cases before the Supreme Court," Biden said.

"I believe that a woman's right to choose is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the land for almost fifty years, and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned," he added.

"Second, shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting women's reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel's Office to prepare options for an Administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when any ruling is issued."

The president said that if the court overturns Roe, "it will fall on our nation's elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman's right to choose.

"And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law," Biden added.

Twitter Flooded With 'Handmaid's Tale' References Following Draft Leak

Twitter has been flooded with The Handmaid's Tale memes and references following the leak of a draft majority decision by the Supreme Court to overturn 1973's Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal in all U.S. states.

The Handmaid's Tale, authored by Margaret Atwood, is a best-selling 1985 dystopian novel, about a far-right Christian theocracy called Gilead that eliminates most rights for women in a country that used to be the U.S. It has also been made into a TV series.

MSNBC host Joy Reid invoked the book on Thursday's instalment of "The ReidOut"

"There is just no telling what happens once that right is gone and tens of millions of American women wake up in Gilead with their pregnant bodies as state property, rape and incest victims having to risk their lives to have abortions, teenagers and young women saddled with the huge cost of raising children they never planned to have or didn't want to have, with their red states saying, 'Well, that's your problem now.'", Reid said.

In a tweet, musician Antonio Sanchez called the Supreme Court leak "the real Handmaid's Tale. Brought to you by SCOTUS."

Journalist Marcus Richter tweeted: "The storyline of "The Handmaid's Tale" is coming along nicely," referencing the decision.

Hillary Clinton was also criticized by some people on social media for wearing a red dress to the Met Gala, the same colour as worn by women in the book.

Three Quarters of Jewish Voters in U.S. 'Concerned' About Roe v. Wade Overturning

Some 75 percent of Jewish voters in the United States are concerned about the Supreme Court overturning 1973's Roe v. Wade, according to the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA).

In a tweet on Tuesday morning, the organization said "3/4 Jewish voters are concerned about the Supreme Court overturning #RoeVsWade. Abortion justice is a Jewish value. As Jewish Dems, we will never stop fighting to protect access to reproductive healthcare services and abortion."

State Governors Split on Leaked Roe v. Wade Opinion

Several state governors have spoken up following the leak of a draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade case, and their opinions have been mixed.

Alabama's Republican governor Kay Ivey tweeted: "This unprecedented leak is concerning, outrageous and a blatant attempt to manipulate the sacred procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court. Those responsible should be held accountable. My prayer is that Roe v. Wade is overturned and that life prevails."

Asa Hutchinson, governor of Arkansas, voiced his support for reversing the landmark case.

"I have advocated for the reversal of Roe v. Wade all my political career. The leak from someone within the court is reprehensible and should lead to an investigation but I do hope the court returns authority to the states," Hutchison tweeted.

On the Democratic side, California governor Gavin Newsom said that California "will not sit back" with the ruling.

"Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers will not be silenced. The world is about to hear their fury," he tweeted. "California will not sit back. We are going to fight like hell."

In Illinois, Democratic governor JB Pritzker tweeted: "Hell no! In Illinois, we trust women. We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated."

Progressives Urge Roe v. Wade Be Codified to Thwart Supreme Court

Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have led calls for abortion rights to be protected through legislation following the leak of a draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn 1973's Roe v. Wade.

Sanders, the independent senator for Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, took to Twitter on Monday to call for Roe to be codified in federal law following the release of the draft by Politico. Ocasio-Cortez suggested the same.

"Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW," Sanders wrote. "And if there aren't 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes."

"People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

Read the full Newsweek report here.

Academics, Activists Slam GOP Hypocrisy After Some Support Leaked Decision

Academics and activists on Twitter have criticized the Republican party's alleged hypocrisy after some GOP lawmakers praised the leaked opinion to abandon Roe v. Wade, which legalizes abortion across the United States.

Joyce Alene, a professor University of Alabama's law school, tweeted: "A party that takes away abortion rights but refuses to provide support for pregnant women who need help with medical care including birth expenses, housing, food, child care & schooling, employment, etc, is most definitely not pro-life."

Meanwhile, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement to end gun violence in the U.S., tweeted: "A reminder that the same lawmakers who say gun laws won't stop gun violence believe abortion laws will stop abortion."

Human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid ridiculed what he saw as Republican hypocrisy.

He tweeted: "GOP Logic: -Abortion: Ban it -Marijuana: Ban it -Immigration: Ban it -LGBTQ books: Ban it -Dialogue on racism: Ban it -Black author books: Ban it -Guns: BANS DON'T WORK YOU SNOWFLAKES #RoeVsWade"

Marjorie Taylor Greene Rejoices Over Roe v. Wade Ruling: 'Our God is Bigger'

Marjorie Taylor Greene has praised a report suggesting the Supreme Court backs overturning the landmark abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade.

In a series of tweets, the Georgia Congresswoman expressed her support for the majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, which concluded that the court is prepared to overturn the 1973 case that legalized abortion across the country.

Among the tweets posted by Greene were an image of a crowd that had gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. with the caption: "Our God is bigger."

In another tweet, Greene described the report that the Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade as "the most significant and glorious news of our lifetime" while posting a video of her delivering a statement.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion because this is the best news of our lifetime," Greene said in the video.

"This is a great victory. It's a great victory for God and the unborn who have been innocently slain for years, my entire lifetime."

Read the full Newsweek report here.

Twitter Reacts to Roe v. Wade News Breaking During the Met Gala

The news that the Supreme Court may overturn America's legal right to abortion broke while Twitter was reacting to the outrageous and glamorous looks of celebrities at the 2022 Met Gala.

A leaked document revealed that the 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide, could be overturned. At the same time, the 2022 Met Gala was happening in New York City at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Social media reacted to the overlapping news stories with many people commenting on supposed links between the freedom female celebrities enjoy at the Met Gala, and the removal of freedoms if Roe v Wade is repealed.

Read the full Newsweek report here.

UK Politicians Lead International Response To Supreme Court Leak

The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are among the international figures to react to the leaked opinion to abandon Roe vs. Wade.

Sturgeon tweeted on Tuesday morning: "The right of women to decide what happens to our own bodies is a human right. And experience tells us that removing the legal right to abortion doesn't stop abortions happening - it just makes them unsafe and puts the lives of women at much greater risk."

Khan said in another tweet: "London stands with women across the United States today. Roe v Wade enshrined women's fundamental rights over their own bodies and access to healthcare. That cannot and must not be undone."

British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan also commented on the leak, though it was unclear whether he was for or against the proposed change.

"Wow. Roe vs Wade being overturned is a shocking, seismic bombshell that will rock America," he tweeted.

"And a Supreme Court draft judgement being leaked like this is no less sensational - it's unprecedented & incredibly damaging to the integrity of the nation's highest court."

Read Leak of Draft Majority Opinion to Overturn Roe Vs. Wade

On Monday, an initial draft majority opinion of the Supreme Court was leaked to the public for what is believed to be the first time in the court's history.

The leaked opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, reported by Politico, showed that the court will vote to overturn its landmark Roe v Wade ruling, which guaranteed broad access to abortion in every state.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Alito writes in the draft. "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled."

The document indicated that abortion rights will now be determined by the legislature of each state.

Although the final decision on whether to uphold Roe vs Wade is not due for another two months or so, the leaked opinion suggests anti-abortion activists will be declaring a victory, overturning the 1973 landmark legislation.

Read the original leaked decision here.

Ted Cruz Calls Draft Opinion "Massive Victory," Denounces the Leak

Republican Senator Ted Cruz welcomed the report Monday that the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade, but said he was "appalled" by the leak of a draft court opinion.

"This is a blatant attempt to intimidate the Court through public pressure rather than reasoned argument," the Texas senator said in a tweet.

Following the leak of a draft opinion, protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court and congressional Democrats called for action to protect reproductive rights.

Cruz, in another tweet, called on others who had served as Supreme Court clerks and the "entire legal community" to denounce what he called an "egregious breach of trust."

However, Cruz, an outspoken social conservative, said it wasn't all bad news.

"If this report is true, this is nothing short of a massive victory for life and will save the lives of millions of innocent babies," said Cruz.

Left Blames Trump for Right-wing SCOTUS Majority

During his presidency, Donald Trump nominated three conservative justices to the Supreme Court. He nominated Neil Gorsuch in 2017, Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and Amy Coney Barrett in 2020.

People are now criticizing the former president for nominating right-skewed justices. Conservatives hold the majority in the Supreme Court.

"That right always rested on the whims of 9 individuals in the Supreme Court," said Steve Miller who is running for Congress in North Carolina. "Trump and his fellow Republicans gave us the most radically right-wing court in our history and now the chickens have come home to roost."

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown agreed.

"If you are upset that Roe v. Wade is about to be overturned by the Supreme Court but you didn't vote in 2016 or you voted for Trump because you didn't like the smart lady, YOU did this with your apathy or your decision to choose an imp for President. YOU gave him THREE SCOTUS seats," Brown said.

Trump also appointed nearly a quarter of all active federal judges in the country and more federal appeals court judges than any recent president at the same point in a first term, according to Politico.

Laura Ingraham Says Leak is Attempt to Change Supreme Court's Action

Fox News personality Laura Ingraham blasted the person who leaked a draft Supreme Court opinion, calling it an attempt to "usurp the role of the justices and hijack the court's deliberative process."

An irate Ingraham said the draft opinion ending national abortion rights was leaked to Politico in an attempt to put political pressure on the court before its final opinion is issued.

"No matter what you think about this outcome, the leak itself represents a shocking and unprecedented breach of the court's confidentiality," Ingraham said on her show Monday.

Even on high-stakes issues of freedom of religion or same-sex marriage, a draft opinion has never leaked, Ingraham said.

Whomever leaked the draft opinion has not been identified publicly. But Ingraham had strong words for the Supreme Court's clerks, noting that she had once held the coveted job as a young lawyer.

She said she watched draft opinions going back and forth between justices as they were finalized (sometimes votes changing), calling the process "essential for the proper functioning of our nation's highest."

Ingraham recalled Chief Justice William Rehnquist issuing a stern warning for the clerks during orientation, telling them if they leaked "you can kiss your legal career bye-bye."

FBI Investigation Likely Amid SCOTUS Document Briefing

The FBI will likely launch a full-scale investigation into the leak of the SCOTUS draft opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Politico said the draft decision was shared with its newsroom by an unnamed source. No draft decision in modern history has been disclosed publicly while a case was still pending, according to Politico.

Josh Blackman, a professor at the South Texas College of Law called on the Chief Justice John Roberts to launch an investigation into the leak.

"Roberts has an absolute obligation to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. And at the end of that investigation, Roberts must publicly identify the persons who are responsible for this leak—that includes Justices and clerks. Heads must roll," Blackman wrote in a blog post.

Another legal expert said it is "highly disturbing" to think about a member of the court going to great lengths to leak the draft opinion.

"It is highly disturbing that the opinion was improperly leaked in an unprecedented way, presumably by someone at the Court," Mark Kende, a law professor at Drake University, told Insider.

Draft Opinion an "Abomination," GOP Abandons Lincoln: Pelosi, Schumer

Congress' top two Democrats excoriated the Supreme Court's conservative majority and the Republican Party following a report that Roe v. Wade could be undone.

"The Republican-appointed Justices' reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement.

The two said if the court is planning to adopt the draft opinion, it would "inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years—not just on women but on all Americans." The opinion would strip tens of millions of women of "their bodily autonomy and the constitutional rights they've relied on for half a century," Pelosi and Schumer said.

The joint statement also took aim at "several of these conservative Justices," accusing them of having "lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court's reputation."

"The party of Lincoln and Eisenhower has now completely devolved into the party of Trump," Pelosi and Schumer said in the statement. "Every Republican Senator who supported Senator McConnell and voted for Trump Justices pretending that this day would never come will now have to explain themselves to the American people."

69% of Americans Oppose Roe v. Wade Being Overturned

Most American oppose the SCOTUS draft opinion decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a January 2022 CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

About 69 percent of Americans say they oppose seeing the Supreme Court completely overturn its Roe v. Wade decision, with just 30 percent approving the decision.

Nearly 60 percent of Americans say that if Roe vs. Wade were overturned, they'd like their state to set laws that are more permissive than restrictive toward abortion rights. About 40 percent say they'd like their state to implement more restrictive laws.

When asked if they would like their state to become a safe haven for women who want an abortion but cannot get one where they live, 89 percent of Americans said yes. Only 11 percent of Americans would not want their state to be a safe haven.

Protesters Gather Outside Supreme Court

Roughly 200 people gathered outside the steps of the Supreme Court building to protest a leaked draft opinion spelling the end of national abortion rights.

Natalie Allison, reporter for Politico, reports the spontaneous crowd is mostly people in their 20s and 30s, one holding a can of White Claw.

Paul McLeod, BuzzFeed News reporter, reports that some in the crowd waved signs protesting the draft opinion and chanting slogans like "abortion is healthcare" and "my body, my choice."

Abigail Adcox, reporter for the Washington Examiner, reported the crowd tried to chant down counter-protesters before a more somber mood fell on some protesters who held candles.

GOP officials praise SCOTUS opinion

Republican figures spoke through Twitter Monday night to defend the SCOTUS decision to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said the SCOTUS decision is "glorious."

"The Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe—the most significant and glorious news of our lifetime. Join me in praying to God for the right outcome," Taylor Green said. "Life begins at conception. Let's protect it."

While responding to a pro-choice pastor on Twitter, Taylor Greene said no pastor would approve of abortion.

"There is no pastor ordained by God that would support killing God's creation in the womb," Taylor Greene said. "You are a liar. A fraud. And a wolf in sheep's clothing. Shame on you."

Representative Madison Cawthorn also shared his opinion saying he prays the court will "stand strong" with the decision.

"This leak was meant to intimidate the Supreme Court into backing down," Cawthorn tweeted. "Pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. Pray the Court will defend innocent life. Pray the Court will stand strong. Evil MUST not triumph. Science, common sense, and LIFE will win."

Planned Parenthood tells Women the Draft 'is Outrageous' but 'Not Final'

A large reproductive rights organization says its clinics are open and it's "fighting like hell," despite a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion spelling the end of national abortion rights.

Planned Parenthood called the opinion "outrageous" in a tweet, but said that Roe v. Wade currently remains the law of the land. The organization said in another tweet that its health care centers are open, "and will keep fighting to ensure you have the health care access you deserve."

"Let's be clear: This is a draft opinion. It's outrageous, it's unprecedented, but it is not final," the organization said in it's tweet. "Abortion is your right — and it is STILL LEGAL."

However, it said in another tweet means "we have reached a crisis moment for abortion access."

"This leaked opinion is dangerous but we have been preparing for every possible outcome in this case — and are built for this fight!" Alexis McGill Johnson, president of President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a tweet. "Our health centers remain open and make no mistake, we're fighting like hell."

Clinton, Warren, Sanders, AOC React to Ruling

Leading figures in the Democratic Party reacted with dismay and calls for swift action following news the Supreme Court is poised to strike down abortion rights.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on Twitter that "It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We're not going back—not ever."

"Not surprising," wrote Hillary Clinton, the party's 2016 presidential nominee. "But still outrageous."

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who twice ran for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, called on Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade into law. He also said the Senate should end the filibuster if necessary.

But New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has blocked efforts to codify Roe.

Manchin's Twitter feed has been silent.

Barricades Put Up Around Supreme Court Building After Document Leak

Minutes after Politico reported that the majority of the Supreme Court's justices plan to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, barricades were put up around the United States Supreme Court building.

In a photo posted on Twitter, barricades can be seen lining the steps of the building. ReporterCami Mondeaux said the barricades were put up "just minutes after" the report was published.

Court's Ruling Could Spell Trouble for Gay Marriage

The Supreme Court's draft ruling striking down abortion rights signals the court is willing to reconsider past rulings that legalized same-sex marriage and struck down anti-sodomy laws, respectively.

Mark Joseph Stern, a writer with Slate, pointed out on Twitter that Justice Samuel Alito's ruling takes aim at Lawrence v. Texas. The 2003 ruling determined states can't ban gay sex because of the Constitution's implicit right to privacy. Similarly, Alito's ruling criticized Obergefell v. Hodges, a 2015 landmark ruling that legalized gay marriage.