Pence does not seem to realize that as the Chief Justice, Roberts can’t be fired, can’t be primaried, and pretty much can’t be bullied. He doesn’t need anything from the regressive Right, and attacking him like this seems like a very poor strategy if you are trying to make him more receptive to their arguments.
Of course Pence himself is an idiot, who only looks comparatively sane and capable because he’s standing next to the Orange Shitgibbon.
Maybe James Blish?