Chief Justice John Roberts scolds Chuck Schumer for 'threatening statements' against Gorsuch, Kavanaugh

Chief Justice John Roberts offered a rare rebuke of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday after the New York Democrat made what Roberts called "threatening statements" against two conservative justices.

Schumer had spoken outside the Supreme Court earlier in the day as the justices were hearing a case about a Louisiana abortion law. Schumer addressed two Trump-appointed associate justices, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

"I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price," Schumer said. "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."

President Donald Trump also condemned Schumer on Twitter later on Wednesday.

"This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer," Trump said. "If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW!"

Schumer's comments were widely criticized by conservatives and anti-abortion activists, including GOP Reps. Steve Scalise, Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan on Twitter. Critics accused Schumer of making threats against the justices, a position Robert also took in his statement.

"Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous," Roberts said.