Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) declined to sign a bill that would have allowed him to appoint the chief justice of Utah’s Supreme Court. SB296, a Republican-backed bill, passed the state Senate with bipartisan support in February.

Roberts, as the head of the federal judiciary, has been facing mounting pressure to protect the courts from political interference. With a lifetime appointment, it remains to be seen whether the 70-year-old Chief Justice will take further steps to defend judicial independence as Trump continues his broadsides against the judiciary.