Thread by @DrGJackBrown

1/ THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4024-T: Chief Justice Roberts reacts to his reading of Senator Warren's question (VIDEO, PHOTOS) • #BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #ElizabethWarren #JohnRoberts #Nonverbal

2/ Chief Justice John Roberts had a pronounced nonverbal reaction after he read aloud Senator Elizabeth Warren's question. What follows is an analysis of that moment.

3/ Beginning at 0:31, Chief Justice Roberts says, "The question from Senator Warren is for the House Managers, 'At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment Trial in which ...'

4/ '... Republican Senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses [slight stutter] or evidence, contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice, The Supreme Court, and the Constitution?' "

5/ During 0:34, just after he says, 'the House Managers', Roberts:
• Juts his jaw forward
• Clenches his jaw w/ chin dimpling
• Tightens the area beneath his nose and above upper lip — aka mustache region
• Flares his nostrils

6/ This cluster of nonverbal behavior is indicative of:
• An Adrenaline Surge
• Frustration
• Regret
• A secondary component of Anger

7/ Roberts then inhales deeply (0:35-0:36) as he elevates both eyebrows as well as the entire width of his forehead. This nonverbal cluster is extremely common — particularly just as one begins to read aloud regardless of the anticipated nature of the content.

8/ However when one begins reading — within the body of the content — subtle dynamics of facial expression (microexpressions and other behaviors) are then profoundly telling.

9/ As he says, "large majorities", Chief Justice Roberts elevates his entire forehead/eyebrows as he glances up to his right (0:37) projecting his emphasis.

10/ Roberts repeats this entire forehead/eyebrow elevation as he says "lost faith" during 0:39 ("have lost faith in government").

11/ Roberts then elevates his forehead *asymmetrically*, elevating his left side, twice in quick succession (0:41 and 0:42), as he tilts and torques his head in disbelief. This behavior indicates that Roberts is in disbelief that he is being mentioned.

12/ We see the symmetrical forehead/eyebrow dynamic again at 0:48 as he says, "Refused" ("Republican Senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses").

13/ And another identical (symmetrical) elevation during 0:50 as he says, "or evidence".

14/ His eyebrows lower and his forehead furrows as he says, "loss of legitimacy" (0:52-0:53).

15/ His left forehead and eyebrow *asymmetrically* elevate when he says, "Chief Justice" (0:54). Roberts is, again, in disbelief that he is being referenced directly.

16/ After the Chief Justice finishes reading Senator Warren's question, he puts down the paper, placing his right hand over his left hand. He turns his eyes, head, & torso mildly to his right. Once again, in a high-adrenaline state, he clenches and protrudes his jaw (0:57-1:02).

17/ Robert's lips are thinned and pulled extremely tight laterally with the corners of his mouth slightly down-turned. His head nods up and down with a low-amplitude, high frequency (about 2.5 times per second) pattern.

18/ His facial expression/dynamic is an amalgam of:

• Frustration
• Regret
• Anger
• Sadness
• Cognitive-Emotional Dissonance

19/ This very rapid and subtle head nodding is relatively rare, particularly in a professional setting. He's subconsciously trying to burn excess adrenaline and suppress strong emotion(s).

20/ It's important to note that the Chief Justice's conjunctivae (tissue covering the whites [sclerae] of his eyes) are significantly injected (reddened).

21/ SUMMARY:

• Chief Justice John Roberts displays significant Cognitive-Emotional Dissonance
• Roberts DOES AGREE with Warren's premise — that large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government

continued...

22/ SUMMARY(continued) ...

• Roberts DOES NOT believe he or the Supreme Court has suffered a loss of legitimacy
• Chief Justice Roberts was surprised and IN DISBELIEF that Senator Warren referenced him directly

....

23/ SUMMARY (continued)...

• Roberts was ANGERED by Warren questioning the legitimacy of either himself or The Supreme Court
• Roberts DISAGREES with the Republican's blocking both witness testimony as well as evidence

...

24/ SUMMARY (continued)...

• Roberts was significantly frustrated, angry, regretful, and saddened
• After he finished reading Warren's question, it was highly likely that Chief Justice Roberts was suppressing tears

END