It’s not the Rehnquist Court anymore. Nearly six months into his tenure as chief justice, John Roberts Jr. has begun to make his mark on the Supreme Court, fostering a sense of harmony and triggering an outbreak of unanimity among justices unseen in recent years.
Without showing any sign of compromising his conservative views, Roberts has nonetheless written three unanimous opinions himself so far and presided over a Court that was unanimous in 21 out of 29 signed rulings issued. Just as significant, only six concurring opinions have been written this term — a departure for justices long accustomed to writing separately to express even the slightest disgruntlement with the majority.
