On Monday night, Politico published a draft majority opinion from the Supreme Court that, if finalized, would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The leak of a draft opinion is unprecedented in the court's modern era and has sparked debate over who leaked the draft, why it was leaked, and what it means for the court and the nation.
For many court observers, the leak may do long-lasting harm to the Supreme Court.
Others have attempted to put the leak into some historical context.
Conservatives want an investigation into the leak, which many think was orchestrated to put pressure on the court's majority to change its stance before issuing the final opinon.
But some experts see a different motivation behind the leak, or at least a different result.
And others want everyone to take a deep breath and think about the bigger picture.
Lorraine Marquez Eiler’s photo of her great-great grandparents and her great-grandparents, who would walk about 50 miles through the Sonoran Desert to the springs.
The Quitobaquito pond sits near the U.S.-Mexico border just west of the Lukeville port of entry on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. The Trump administration is attempting to build a second border fence 150-feet from the existing border, which O’odham tribal members and environmentalists say would damage Quitobaquito, a sacred site to the O’odham and other indigenous people. Credit: Stephanie Casanova
Construction equipment is seen near the U.S.-Mexico border just west of the Lukeville port of entry on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Credit: Stephanie Casanova
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, left, and Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose listen as Lorraine Marquez Eiler, a Hia-C’ed O’odham elder, shares how her ancestors would hold ceremonies at Quitobaquito Springs. Grijalva visited the springs with tribal leaders on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Credit: Stephanie Casanova
Sara Mae Williams, Justice of the Peace in Ajo and a Tohono O’odham citizen, shares their concerns regarding border wall construction on Tohono O’odham land at a town hall at the Ajo Plaza Rec Hall on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Credit: Stephanie Casanova