Biden to Announce Support for Major Changes to Supreme Court Amid Outrage Over Recent Decisions
President Joe Biden is set to announce his support for significant changes to the Supreme Court following a wave of public outcry over recent rulings.
The Washington Post first reported the changes, citing two people briefed on the plans.
Biden has long resisted changes to the high court, but his supporters have continued to call for reform following ethics scandals surrounding Justice Clarence Thomas and decisions by the court majority on issues including abortion and federal regulatory
The proposed alterations come as the nation grapples with contentious decisions on key issues such as affirmative action, abortion, and environmental regulations.
Biden’s anticipated endorsement of Supreme Court reforms has sparked a fierce debate across the political spectrum. Conservatives view the move as a dangerous overreach, while progressives argue it is necessary to ensure a more balanced judiciary.
Recent Supreme Court Decisions
The Supreme Court’s recent decisions have ignited widespread controversy and debate. The ruling on affirmative action, which effectively ended race-based admissions in colleges, has been a focal point of contention. Critics argue that the decision undermines decades of progress toward racial equality in education.
Additionally, the court’s decision to strike down federal protections for abortion rights has led to significant backlash. This ruling has returned the authority to regulate abortion to individual states, resulting in a patchwork of laws that vary widely across the country.
Environmental advocates have also voiced strong opposition to the court’s decision to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This ruling has been criticized for hindering efforts to combat climate change and protect public health.
Biden’s Proposed Changes
“I’m going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I’m about to come out — I don’t want to prematurely announce it — but I’m about to come out with a major initiative on limiting the court … I’ve been working with constitutional scholars for the last three months, and I need some help,” Biden said, according to a transcript of a call obtained by The Washington Post.
Many of the changes would need congressional approval. The Post also reported that Biden was weighing whether to call for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders.
White House officials have stated that the President’s forthcoming announcement will address the growing concerns about the Supreme Court’s direction and its impact on American society. Biden is expected to argue that the proposed changes are essential to preserving democracy and ensuring that the judiciary reflects the values of a diverse and evolving nation.
Conservative Criticism
Kelly Shackelford, president of First Liberty Institute, said new reports of Mr. Biden’s plans to back term limits on the justices and impose an ethics code on the Supreme Court would politicize the nation’s highest court, calling the overhaul proposal a “radical attempt by a desperate politician.”
“Transforming the Supreme Court into another partisan body would destroy the independence of the judiciary and threaten the civil liberties of all Americans. Joe Biden once said that changing the structure of the Court was ‘a bonehead idea’ that would ‘put in question … the independence of the … Supreme Court.’
“He was right. The last thing we need in this country right now is a Supreme Court coup that would threaten judicial independence and our democratic republic,” Mr. Shackelford said.
Public Opinion
Public opinion on the Supreme Court and its recent rulings is deeply divided. According to a recent poll, a significant portion of the American populace is dissatisfied with the court’s direction. However, there is also substantial opposition to any major changes that could alter the judiciary’s independence.
Proponents of reform argue that the current makeup of the court does not accurately reflect the country’s demographics and values. They contend that changes are necessary to restore public trust and ensure that the judiciary is more responsive to contemporary societal needs.
Political Implications
Biden’s support for Supreme Court reforms is likely to have significant political ramifications. It could energize the Democratic base, which has been vocal in its criticism of the court’s recent decisions. However, it also risks alienating moderate voters who may view such changes as too radical.
Republicans are expected to use this issue to galvanize their supporters ahead of the upcoming elections. They will likely frame Biden’s proposals as an overreach and a threat to the constitutional order, seeking to portray themselves as defenders of judicial independence.
Conclusion
As President Biden prepares to announce his support for major changes to the Supreme Court, the nation remains sharply divided over the future of the judiciary. The forthcoming announcement will undoubtedly ignite further debate and shape the political landscape in the months to come.