Enlarge By Jay Reeves, AP Protocol dictates that members of the Supreme Court must refrain from showing their emotions during the president's State of the Union address, Chief Justice John Roberts said. WASHINGTON  Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts told an Alabama audience Tuesday that he found the atmosphere "very troubling" at January's State of the Union Address, during which President Obama criticized the high court. He questioned why justices attend the annual event. "To the extent it has degenerated into a political pep rally, I'm not sure why we're there." Roberts' remarks constituted the latest salvo in criticism between the branches tracing to the court's January decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which struck down a federal limit on corporate spending in elections. Roberts was responding Tuesday to a question from a law student during an appearance at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, which posted a podcast of the event on its website. The student asked about Obama's remarks during the Jan. 27 address as six of the nine justices sat before him. Obama said the Citizens United decision "reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests — including foreign corporations — to spend without limit in our elections." Roberts first responded, "I think anybody can criticize the Supreme Court." Yet he continued, "On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum. "The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court — according to the requirements of protocol — has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling." Justice Samuel Alito was unable to stay expressionless. During Obama's criticism, he shook his head and apparently mouthed "not true." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that Obama is "committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests. ... That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response." Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more