Anthony Kennedy's Memoir Warns of Supreme Court's Increasing Confrontation

Kennedy, who served from 1988 to 2018, warns of a trend towards confrontation in his new memoir. He reflects on landmark cases and the importance of civility in democracy.

, and Administrator

2025 October 15 . 8:07 AM

1 min read

people are sitting on the chairs. in front of them there is a table on which there is a jug, papers... — people are sitting on the chairs. in front of them there is a table on which there is a jug, papers and pen. behind that there are people seated on the chairs. the person at the center is holding a microphone and speaking. behind them there is a white and blue flag. at the back there is a white and blue background on which honorable camara de is written.

Anthony Kennedy's Memoir Warns of Supreme Court's Increasing Confrontation

Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has expressed concern about the increasing personal and confrontational nature of the high court's opinions. His memoir, 'Life, Law & Liberty', set to be published on Tuesday, reflects on his 30-year tenure and the current state of the Supreme Court.

Kennedy, who served from 1988 to 2018, was a pivotal figure in many landmark cases. He authored the majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. He also co-authored the plurality opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, reaffirming Roe v. Wade in 1992. His decisive vote in the 2000 Bush v. Gore case was another notable moment in his career.

Kennedy's concerns about the tone of political discourse are not new. In a recent interview with CBS News, he reiterated his worries about the respect for opposing views in democracy. He had previously voiced these concerns during a virtual legal reform event in June.

Kennedy's memoir, due out this week, offers insights into his time on the Supreme Court and his thoughts on the current state of the institution. His concerns about the tone of political discourse and the respect for opposing views highlight the importance of civility and dialogue in a functioning democracy.