Supreme Court Leak Bill Proposes 10-Year Prison Sentence for Staff Who Share Internal Info

This new piece of legislation, officially titled the Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act of 2025, creates a powerful new federal crime. Simply put, it makes it severely illegal—we’re talking up to 10 years in federal prison—for any employee or officer of the Supreme Court to share internal, sensitive information they learn on the job. The bill’s main purpose is to lock down the Court’s internal workings and deliberations, placing a massive legal barrier between the Court’s staff and the public.

The New Definition of 'Confidential'

This bill defines “confidential information” so broadly it could cover almost anything happening inside the Court before a decision is public. This includes draft opinions, discussions between Justices and staff, and even internal notes taken by staff about a case. If you’re a law clerk or administrative staffer, revealing any of this information knowingly could land you in serious trouble. The penalties are harsh: a general leak means up to 10 years in prison and a fine, though leaking only internal staff notes gets a slightly lighter fine of $10,000.

Who Controls the Secrets?

Here’s the part that catches the eye: the bill gives the Chief Justice a special, unilateral power to expand the definition of what’s secret. Beyond the specific items listed, the bill states that “confidential information” includes “anything else the Chief Justice specifically labels confidential before a leak happens.” Think about that for a second. This means the Chief Justice can essentially draw a line around any internal document or discussion, making its disclosure a federal felony punishable by a decade in prison. This concentrates a huge amount of power to control information within one person.

The Whistleblower Chill

For the public, this bill is less about protecting the integrity of opinions and more about transparency. While the goal is to prevent leaks of draft opinions, the broad language and severe penalties could have a major chilling effect on legitimate public interest disclosures. Imagine a scenario where a staffer discovers serious ethical misconduct or administrative corruption within the Court—not related to a case outcome, but perhaps misuse of funds or an ethical lapse by an official. Under this law, if that information was labeled confidential or involved internal communications, that staffer risks a decade in prison for exposing it. This structure effectively prioritizes institutional secrecy over accountability, making it much harder for the public to learn about potential problems in the judicial branch.

The Real-World Stakes

This isn't just about fines; the bill also connects this new crime to existing federal asset forfeiture laws. This means if an employee is convicted of leaking, the government can seize any assets related to the crime—adding another layer of severe consequence beyond incarceration. For the average American, this bill means one less avenue for oversight of one of the most powerful and least transparent branches of government. While the Court certainly deserves to protect its deliberative process, this law uses the threat of a long prison sentence and asset seizure to enforce secrecy, potentially silencing anyone who might otherwise bring critical information to light.