Brunson

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/22-1028.html
From Grok concerning secret Supreme Court hearings:
The Supreme Court of the United States generally operates with transparency, especially in its public proceedings like oral arguments, where the public can attend, and audio recordings are often made available. However, there are contexts where the Supreme Court might engage in proceedings that are not public or are less transparent:

1. Conferences: The Justices hold private conferences where they discuss cases, share their views, and take initial votes on the outcomes. These conferences are not open to the public or media, and no transcripts or recordings are made public.
2. Sensitive or Classified Information: In cases involving national security, classified information, or other sensitive matters, the Court might handle certain aspects of the case in a way that restricts public access to protect confidentiality or national security interests. However, this doesn’t mean the entire case is conducted in secret; rather, specific details or sessions might be.
3. Emergency Applications: The Supreme Court often deals with emergency applications outside of the public eye. These might involve stays of execution, injunctions, or other urgent matters where the Court makes decisions quickly and without the formalities of public argument sessions.
4. Legal Precedents and Exceptions: While the Supreme Court emphasizes openness, there can be exceptions for compelling reasons like the protection of informants or in cases where public disclosure could compromise security or legal proceedings. For instance, in the past, there have been instances where the Court has considered cases or parts of cases under seal or with restricted access due to the sensitivity of the information involved.
5. Public Perception vs. Reality: Discussions on platforms like X might sometimes suggest or speculate about “secret hearings” in a more dramatic or conspiratorial sense. However, in legal practice, these refer more to the confidential handling of certain case details rather than entire hearings being conducted secretly.

While the Supreme Court aims for transparency, there are provisions and instances where confidentiality is maintained for legal, ethical, or security reasons. However, the idea of the Supreme Court holding entirely secret hearings on substantive legal issues, without any public disclosure or record, is not supported by typical court practices. If parts of a case are handled in a non-public manner, it’s generally for reasons outlined above, and the overarching case’s decision or key parts of it would still be publicized.