Samuel Alito says Dobbs decision required courage from Supreme Court majority

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito stated that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling required ‘courage’ from all justices in the majority. Speaking in a media clip for CBS News, Alito noted that while losing friendships due to controversial rulings is part of the job, the recent rise in physical threats and harassment against justices is a disturbing and dangerous new development.

The 2022 decision returned abortion access to individual states, overturning the 1970s landmark ruling that had guaranteed the right. Alito remarked that the justices did not fully realize the extent of the implications when the draft opinion was leaked, but maintained that proceeding with the decision required bravery given the societal impact.