[Az Joe]

Could it have been a Conservative SCOTUS clerk who leaked it? It was Alito’s opinion after all, and I would presume his clerks would be Conservatives most likely.

By leaking it so early, and letting the impression grow that maybe it could be changed by outside pressure, it was uncertain what was going to be the ultimate decision. The other side was “pre-desensitized” to the overturning of Roe and some of the energy dissipated between the leak and today.

Just a theory.

I think they also don’t like losing to us, no matter the issue.

[Dr. Sivana]

Could it have been a Conservative SCOTUS clerk who leaked it?

No. To quote Roberto Goizueta the then-CEO of Coca-Cola responding to suggestions that he brought out "New Coke" to drum up love for a triumphant return of "Coke Classic",

We aren't that smart, and we aren't that stupid.

Besides that, the inclination is to be honorable and law abiding.