TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said Tuesday that the scene at President Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."

Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question about the Senate's method of confirming justices, Justice Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know nominees can't answer because of judicial ethics rules.

"I think the process is broken down," he said.

During the January address, with six of the court's nine justices seated before him in their black robes, Mr. Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision...