Fox News personality and co-host Juan Williams got an earful during a panel discussion on Friday after he appeared to suggest that it is okay to protest in front of Supreme Court justices’ homes, even though federal law prohibits it.
Williams got into a heated exchange with another Fox News regular, former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, who asserted that no, according to the law, it’s not permissible to show up outside the homes of justices or federal judges for a range of reasons.
Asked about the potential difference between the response to the threat to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s life last week and a theoretical Trump supporter going crazy outside the home of a liberal justice, Rove mentioned up the current lackluster interpretation of the statute that prohibits protests “with the intent of influencing any judge.”
“We either ought to apply the law, or we ought to just simply say it’s open season on judges!” Rove said on Fox News Sunday.
“I think you have a right to protest,” Williams interjected.
“But not in front of their house!” Rove exclaimed.
“You have a right to protest anywhere in America,” Williams shot back. “Now clearly, these people should not be violent, and they shouldn’t threaten. But the idea that they’re influencing … I don’t think it’s about the influence. I think it’s about a Supreme Court that’s become radical, and extremist, and activist, and is going to put out a decision that’s going to — believe me — polarize this country. Undo 50 years of law!”
That angered Rove even more, as he claimed that the Biden administration’s lack of enforcing the law is only encouraging more protests.
“So because you disagree with a prospective decision, you think people have a right to show up in front of a house and try and intimidate a judge to change their mind?” Rove asked.
“How about any case in America? Would you defend everybody’s right to go in front of every judge and say. ‘My God, if you decide one way or the other, you deserve me protesting in front of your house!’ Forget it! That’s intimidation!” Rove argued.
“No,” Williams said as the two talked over each other.
“I think everyone at this table has had people demonstrate, or come to their door, and it’s unsettling,” Williams reiterated. “No one’s defending it. But the right to protest is essential to America.”
“But not in front of their house!” Rove said forcefully.
But Williams continued to disagree noting, “I’m just telling you, in politics, that’s a reality.”
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