“Yesterday, a news organization published a copy of a draft opinion in a pending case. Justices circulate draft opinions internally as a routine and essential part of the Court’s confidential deliberative work,” the release said. “Although the document described in yesterday’s reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final portion of any member on the issue in the case.”

Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court,” Roberts wrote. “This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.”