We now know that the leak of the Dobbs opinion was a norms-wrecking attempt to unleash a public backlash that would pressure the Court majority into reconsidering their vote in favor of repealing Roe v. Wade. That attempt failed. 

But those behind it succeeded in furthering the breakdown of our public order. Any principle that impedes their goal is exploited or destroyed to gain an advantage. More and more, left-wing ideologues are no longer interested in discussion or debate, but instead resort to Bolshevik-style tactics to intimidate their adversaries. 

In fact, the leak of the Dobbs decision represented a certain kind of procedural violence, where once the leak and ultimate decision was released, similarly-minded activists engaged in actual violence and vandalism against Catholic churches and pregnancy care centers, crimes that continue today. 

The leak of the Dobbs draft opinion was more than just an ethical breach –  it represents a sea change for the way in which Americans view the Supreme Court. 

What was until then considered one of the most dignified institutions, known for its decorum, has now been tarnished, likely by a person who acted with malice so that the Justices in the majority would be pressured to change their votes. The public turmoil created by the leak led to widespread vandalism of Catholic churches and pregnancy centers, and threats upon the lives of the Justices themselves. It is a sad time in the history of our country when a decision that upholds the United States Constitution leads to violence and mayhem.

The Supreme Court leak not only exposed a breach of trust within the Court, but it also showed just how far the institutions of the left will go in their Machiavellian crusade against truth they disagree with. 

Last May, we watched all the major news sources concentrate entirely on the content of the leak… not on the historic leak itself. Not one media outlet decided to investigate on their own, because that would have run counter to their narrative. The Democrat-controlled Congress was no better. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s call for violence against the Supreme Court was ignored, as he and his colleagues all but applauded the doxxing and attempted assassination of Supreme Court justices.

By all appearances, the Supreme Court leak did little damage to that institution, instead exposing the hypocrisy, untrustworthiness, and bloodlust of the media and their political allies.

“For my friends everything, for my enemies the law.” This phrase. attributed to Brazilian dictator Getulio Vargas, expresses perfectly why so many refugees from totalitarian regimes attempt to enter the United States year after year. They know it is a land of liberty because it is a land ruled by law.

But what happens when the ultimate guarantor – and emblem – of the rule of law – the Supreme Court – is abandoned and even attacked by the powers and authorities that should be protecting it?

The leak of the Dobbs decision one year ago marks an unacceptable episode in the history of the Supreme Court and the nation. But far more threatening is the utter lack of interest from every existing authority to pursue an investigation to a swift conclusion and just penalties. Despite Justice Alito’s statement that he has “a pretty good idea” of who leaked the decision, all the powers that be are going to leave it there. No follow-up, no crime, no punishment. 

Why are the authorities or the so-called legacy media not demanding an investigation of the Dobbs leak with the same zeal that has marked their prosecution of the January 6th protests?

Only one reason comes to mind. They don’t care. They don’t care, because their political opponents – in their minds, the conservative justices and the pro-life movement – paid the price this time. 

Leftists at every level think that the Supreme Court majority who ruled in Dobbs “deserve it.” They can’t see past their anger and are therefore blind to the fact that failure to apply the law equally always ends badly. For everyone.

In A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt’s Thomas More shares an exchange with his zealous son-in-law Will Roper. Roper urges him to use his power to arrest a political enemy, even though there is no crime. More refuses, and Roper explodes at him: “So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!”

More replies, “Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?”

“Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!” exclaims Roper.

More says:  “Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast… man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!”

Leftists who rejoiced in the aftermath of the Dobbs leak would do well to heed More’s warning. Our freedom and our lives depend on it.