Justice Neil Gorsuch of the Supreme Court issued a warning to the citizens about meddling with the judiciary, showcasing his apprehensions regarding the proposed court reforms by President Biden. Gorsuch, midway through promoting his new book, sidestepped the topic of Biden’s reforms when probed by Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, promptly dismissing it as a politically charged issue during an election campaign era.
Speaking on this matter, Gorsuch emphasized the importance of maintaining the judiciary’s independence from governmental interference. He put forth an eloquent case as to what judicial independence signifies from the perspective of an ordinary American. Breaking his usual stoic demeanor, he highlighted that an independent judiciary assures anyone a fair hearing, regardless of their popularity, safeguarding their rights under the law and the constitution.
Gorsuch went on to stress the urgency of maintaining the integrity of the judiciary, reinforcing the idea that the judiciary is pivotal during times when an individual is at odds with the majority or the government. He underlined the need for an independent judge and a jury of your peers to ensure justice, underscoring the importance of these rights to every American.
The Supreme Court has recently been receiving an unsettling amount of attention amidst allegations of justices being gifted expensive trips and extravagant presents or profiting from book deals. The spotlight on the court, built upon a conservative majority by President Trump’s appointments, got further intensified due to the rulings that were considered controversial which go along with the narrative that the president enjoys legal immunity for actions undertaken during their term.
Public sentiment has largely soured on the court, and numerous polls indicate a significant dip in approval rates since 2022, a year notorious for marking the end of Roe v. Wade. A stark survey conducted by AP/NORC in June divulged that a staggering 70% of participants felt that the justices were more inclined to manipulate law to align with their personal ideologies.
In the light of these developments, Biden had put forth a series of reforms for the Supreme Court which included an introduction of an enforceable ethics code along with limiting the tenures of justices to 18 years. Biden also proposed a ‘No One Is Above the Law’ constitutional amendment in a Washington Post op-ed, a purposeful move likely designed to challenge and reverse the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding presidential immunity.
The Supreme Court remained mostly silent following Biden’s announcement. While the justices seldom engage with the political process, this taciturn response raises questions about their stance on the proposed reforms.
Yet, interestingly, prior to Biden’s reform announcement, liberal Justice Elena Kagan had also expressed her support for similar measures aimed at ethical reform in the judiciary. Kagan’s proposal, brought forth at a judicial conference, revolved around empowering an independent panel of judges assigned by the Chief Justice to enforce the court’s existing ethics norms.
In her speech, Kagan criticized the lack of an enforcement mechanism for these existing rules, implying that overcoming the challenge to establish one was vital. Her proposal, unfortunately, was disregarded and has not been put into action.
Gorsuch, in a separate discussion with New York Times columnist David French, declined to present his views on the suggested reforms. He noted that since Kagan’s advocacy for an ethics committee, there has been an increase in political discourse around the subject, yet remained non-committal about the issue.
On the topic of term limits being imposed on justices, Gorsuch again dodged providing a clear answer. It appears his intent was to avoid being drawn into a heated debate, stating that he wished in a few years he could be looking forward to fly fishing, a subtle nudge possibly meant to underscore the ludicrous nature of Biden’s proposed changes.
The proposed reforms by the Biden administration highlight some of the highly polarizing issues related to the role and function of the Supreme Court in America today. It is abundantly clear that Biden is targeting a historically cherished institution in the United States with his politically motivated reforms, drawing backlash from conservatives who see these plans as attempts to undermine the Court’s authority.
The fact that the liberal Justice Elena Kagan suggested something similar before Biden’s reform agenda does not justify such a drastic interference in the judicial process. Although these reforms are touted as necessary to keep the Court in check, the intent seems to be tilting the balance of power in favor of a particular ideology.
Observing Justice Gorsuch’s cautionary response to these judicial reforms, one would question the necessity and urgency of such alterations. It might be viewed by many as a dangerous gamble, one that threatens to upset a balance established over the course of several decades. Indeed, excessive political interference in the judiciary could have unforeseen consequences, undermining the rights and liberties Americans hold dear.
Clearly, the onus now lies with the American people to critically evaluate these reforms and consider the potential ramifications for the judiciary and for their personal rights. After all, an independent judiciary with a degree of autonomy has always been, and should continue to be, one of the key pillars supporting the democratic ideals of the United States.
Gorsuch Exposes Biden’s Judicial Meddling appeared first on Real News Now.
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