The highly charged period surrounding the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning *Roe v. Wade*—the so-called *Dobbs* leak—has been the subject of intense scrutiny, and a new book by conservative author Mollie Hemingway promises to deliver a sensational, inside look at the judicial drama. The core of Hemingway’s narrative involves a dramatic alleged encounter between two prominent liberal justices: Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer. According to the book, this interaction occurred in May 2022, shortly after a conference meeting where the justices were grappling with the immense pressure created by security threats and the impending decision.
Hemingway’s account claims that Kagan, who was a Clinton appointee, angrily confronted Breyer, who was seen as the most amenable to cooperating with the majority’s push, despite his own strong disagreement with the ruling. The alleged shouting match was reportedly so intense that observers noted the ‘wall was shaking,’ characterizing the moment as a major flashpoint of judicial frustration. This episode highlights not only the intense policy disagreement over abortion rights but also suggested fractures within what was typically viewed as a cohesive liberal voting bloc.
Adding to the drama, the article outlines the grave security threats that enveloped the justices. Protests supporting abortion access were persistent, leading Attorney General Merrick Garland to order the U.S. Marshals Service to provide full-time protection. The tensions escalated dramatically, marked by a near-assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The book further delves into the procedural turmoil, noting that the leak of the draft opinion—which occurred before the official release and was a stunning breach of court rules—significantly increased the perceived risk of violence. It is suggested that the threat of death loomed large, leading to the relocation of the justices to more secure facilities, such as the time Justice Barrett required wearing a bulletproof vest in front of her family.
The book positions itself as a deep dive into the mechanics of the judicial meltdown. Hemingway draws connections between the justices’ internal deliberations—such as the internal efforts to secure enough votes to overturn *Roe*—and the heightened political climate. By presenting these alleged behind-the-scenes confrontations, the book aims to provide a visceral, dramatic account of how deeply polarized the nation’s most powerful court became during one of its most defining and polarizing eras.