Supreme Court confirms authenticity of Roe v. Wade draft opinion

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court may be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Roberts also ordered an investigation into what he called an "egregious breach of trust."

In the high court’s first public comment since the draft was published late Monday, Roberts said, "Although the document described in yesterday’s reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case."

"To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed," he said in a written statement.

He added: "I have directed the Marshal of the Court to launch an investigation into the source of the leak."

Barriers were set up in front of the steps of the Supreme Court Building Monday as authorities anticipated crowds in response to a bombshell report on abortion rights

Protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday night after the news of the brief was published across the country.

With The Associated Press.