Barrett and Roberts have signaled a willingness to act, at least at times, as a check on Trump's efforts to expand his power.

President Donald Trump went on a tear on his Truth Social platform late Wednesday against what he called the “Fake ‘Play the Ref’ News” over its coverage of him thanking Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts following his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

I would have told these sleazebag ‘journalists’ that I thanked him for SWEARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SO DOING!!”