President Joe Biden has proposed limiting the tenure of Supreme Court justices, aiming to curry favor with his party's progressive faction.
This proposal was seen as part of Biden's strategy to respond to internal pressures within the Democratic Party while bolstering support for his reelection bid, which he ended on Sunday, as The Hill reports.
The announcement came during a Zoom call with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and co-chaired by Rep. Ilhan Omar. This move reflected Biden's escalating response to demands from his party, urging him to step down before the Democratic convention.
The New York Times described this shift as an appeal towards the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party. Biden's stance on Supreme Court reform marked a departure from his previous approach during the 2020 campaign when he refrained from commenting on court packing to avoid alienating either moderates or progressives.
In the past, calls to add more justices to the Supreme Court came from liberal figures, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Despite this, Biden previously expressed no genuine intention to pack the court, establishing a commission to explore reforms primarily to placate his political supporters. Biden's pivot towards proposing term limits for justices appeared to be politically calculated, intended to galvanize support amid discontent and low polling figures within his own party.
Observers have drawn comparisons to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1937 strategy to appoint additional justices to secure his New Deal legislation. Biden is likely contemplating legislative means over a constitutional amendment to bring term limits to fruition.
The constitutional legitimacy of such a proposal, however, remains in question, with the Supreme Court itself ultimately determining its validity. This latest move is perceived more as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive change.
The proposal's impact would predominantly affect conservative justices, leading to speculations about Biden's motives. Critics argue that this approach could provoke further calls for Supreme Court alterations, including court packing, especially if Democrats seize control of both congressional chambers.
Recent protests directed at individual justices have been encouraged by certain law professors advocating for more aggressive actions. Biden's announcement, asking for support from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, highlights his readiness to make considerable political compromises under internal duress.
Biden's career has seen significant shifts in his positions, often guided by political expediency. His decision to run for reelection against a backdrop of internal party discord and low polling numbers has only intensified calls for substantial reforms.
No credible evidence has suggested cognitive decline among older Supreme Court justices, such as Justice Clarence Thomas, despite frequent critiques about Biden's own mental fitness. This discrepancy has fueled further scrutiny of Biden's motivations behind the proposed term limits.
The proposal underscores Biden's willingness to adapt to increasing pressure from within his party. Nonetheless, its constitutional challenges and the potential for heightened demands for more dramatic Supreme Court changes indicate an uncertain future. As Biden's legacy is put to test, questions arise over the long-term implications of his political maneuvers.
The announcement from Biden, during a critical period of his presidency, reflects a delicate balancing act between catering to his party's left wing and maintaining broader electoral viability.
