Chief Justice john roberts contributed an essay titled “William Howard Taft” to the In Pursuit series published Aug. 11, 2026, reflecting on Taft’s post‑presidential career and judicial leadership.
Roberts’ essay appears on the In Pursuit Substack; the piece’s byline and audio note show it was posted Aug. 11, 2026, and closes by identifying Roberts as “the 17th Chief Justice of the United States,” language present on the Substack page.
Slate has separately published a critique of Roberts’ recent approach to the court, arguing his voting‑rights decisions show a new urgency rather than steady patience. Slate’s analysis states that “Roberts has signaled that he is shifting to a two‑minute offense,” and it links that shift to rulings including Louisiana v. Callais and related shadow‑docket orders.
The two items — Roberts’ In Pursuit essay and Slate’s May 13 analysis — have prompted readers and commentators to question whether praising Taft’s restraint while steering the court toward rapid changes presents a tension. The In Pursuit piece celebrates Taft’s “dignity and principles” after a failed presidency and his later achievements as chief justice, while Slate frames recent court action as a sudden move away from the long game Roberts once played.
Legal watchers and readers on the In Pursuit page left critical comments; the Substack post shows multiple reader responses reacting with skepticism to Roberts’ piece and motives. The In Pursuit page lists reader comments dated Aug. 11, 2026, including responses that read, in part, “I read Roberts’ take on former chief justice/president Taft with great skepticism.”
Slate’s May 13 article lays out a sequence of recent decisions and shadow‑docket moves that the writer says produced a “rush” to change redistricting results ahead of elections; the article cites specific cases and orders and connects them to a broader shift in doctrine and timing.
Why this matters: the two pieces together highlight a debate over judicial posture and public perception. Roberts’ essay presents historical admiration for Taft’s post‑presidential restraint and institutional service; Slate’s analysis argues Roberts’ own recent votes and the court’s procedural choices have been anything but deferential to electoral stability.
Readers who want more on the court’s recent work on elections can see prior coverage of the justices’ split views on mail‑in voting and other election issues on this site, and broader White House institutional coverage provides additional context about institutions and public reaction.
Sources
- In Pursuit (Substack) — published the essay “William Howard Taft” by John G. Roberts, Jr., dated Aug. 11, 2026, and shows reader comments reacting to the piece.
- Slate — published an analysis on May 13, 2026, arguing “Roberts has signaled that he is shifting to a two‑minute offense” and detailing recent voting‑rights and redistricting orders the author sees as a rush.
