After the Supreme Court decided Trump v. CASA, the Wall Street Journal editorial page took a victory lap. The editors, who have consistently defended Barrett, wrote "What an end-of-term rejoinder to the MAGA loudmouths who have been complaining that Justice Barrett is a pushover." On July 4, the WSJ published a letter to the editor as a follow-up:
A few months ago I ran into Justice Neil Gorsuch and lamented some of his colleagues' recent opinions. I criticized Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in particular, both of whom had recently ruled against the Trump administration. Justice Gorsuch was characteristically gracious and spoke of how each was entitled to his own opinions.
I once was what your editorial "The Supreme Court Kills 'Universal' Injunctions" (June 28) refers to as a "MAGA loudmouth." After reading Justice Barrett's superb opinion in Trump v. CASA, I am a repentant MAGA loudmouth. She is a star—and I regret ever doubting it.
Joel Marks
Richmond, Va.
Did this encounter with Justice Gorsuch actually happen? I find this conversation so implausible. And I cannot find any record for a Joel Marks who is an attorney in Richmond. I searched the Virginia State Bar for a Joel Marks and found nothing. I did find a news story from Henrico County, Virginia, where a Joel Marks complained about a broken water main.
