Is Samuel Alito the de facto Chief Justice? If Robert’s wasn’t in agreement, and was either writing his own opinion, or siding with the Libs, my understanding is that the writing of the majority opinion goes to Clarence Thomas. He can then delegate if he chooses. Why defer to Alito? It’s been rumored that he does not get along with Roberts, and has been miffed for years that he was not made Chief Justice. It’s a powerfully written draft. Was Thomas sending a message by letting more aggressive language shine through that they want to be more muscular in driving rulings?