The late Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and Chief Justice Warren Burger were not close (more on that later) and their correspondence—revealed in the Stewart papers just released at the Yale University library—seems to confirm that. Most are formalities, with several involving invitations from the president or Congress for justices to attend various events. The justices were often asked to listen to visiting heads of state addressing joint sessions of Congress. Burger would forward the invitation, along with his suggestion that the Court decline.
In March 1984, Stewart apparently had enough. "Dear Chief," Stewart wrote. "I would decline the invitation to attend the Joint Meeting of Congress on Thursday March 16. Indeed, I would decline all such invitations, except the State of the Union message." Now, of course, even attendance at State of the Union speeches is looking iffy, in light of President Barack Obama's pointed rebuke of the Court last January.
More later from the Stewart papers here, at nlj.com, and at the Supreme Court Insider newsletter.
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