I often describe Chief Justice Roberts's decisions as "blue plate specials." If you read the bottom line, it seems like the liberal side win, but the mechanics of the decision helps the conservatives in the long run. In other words, the right might lose the battle, but they win the war. After more than two decades, the Chief Justice has made this balanced approach to jurisprudence into an art form.
Today's decision in FCC v. AT&T is the latest example.
The FCC alleged that AT&T and Verizon violated federal law, and assessed a forfeiture order of $57 million and $47 million, respectively. The order stated in capitalized bold letters the forfeiture was mandatory:
