Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s latest grasp for attention involves sweeping reforms for the Supreme Court, but polling data suggests that these calls stem more from a party in disarray than a national crisis. Surveys from Gallup reveal that the majority of the discontent surrounding the Court isn’t coming from the broad public—it’s largely a party-line grievance expressed by disillusioned Democrats. This revelation throws a wet blanket on Biden’s narrative of a Court that has lost the public’s confidence.
Biden’s ambitious reform plans include term limits for justices, enforceable ethics guidelines, and an effort to roll back the Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity. However, analysts believe the chances of these reforms navigating through a fractured Congress are as likely as a snowstorm in July. Jonathan Adler, a legal mind at Case Western, points out that Biden’s initiatives seem to be less about addressing real public concerns and more about energizing his Democratic base, which seems to be waning faster than a candidate’s popularity on election night.
The President also exercised some creative storytelling during a recent speech, declaring the Court to be “mired” in scandals and ethics issues, particularly under its current conservative majority. This might resonate with those who are already entrenched in the partisan trenches, yet an abundance of polling data indicates that such concerns are squarely rooted in the Democratic response over the last few years. Democrats’ approval ratings of the Court collapsed to a shocking 13% after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, suggesting their dissatisfaction is more of a reactionary tantrum than a legitimate crisis of confidence in the judiciary.
Historic data illustrates the rollercoaster ride of Democratic approval when it comes to the Supreme Court’s job performance. Ratings have dipped as low as 38% and peaked at 76% within a two-decade window, but the seismic shift after the Dobbs decision clearly indicates that much of this discontent is partisan. In contrast, the Supreme Court’s approval rating among Republicans stands robust, with approximately 66% of them applauding the justices’ work. This disparity highlights a clear divide, suggesting that the President’s approach might be misguided, pandering to a base that’s already feeling the heat of electoral losses.
As Biden rustles up support for his judicial reforms just ahead of the election, it bears the ring of desperation. Legal experts posit that the timing is suspiciously strategic, as it aims to stoke enthusiasm among Democratic voters who might otherwise sit on their hands. Both John Malcolm from the Heritage Foundation and other analysts recognize this initiative as an attempt to rally a base struggling to find its footing. The urgency for Biden underscores a fear: that a disengaged electorate could spell disaster long before ballots are cast.
Biden’s Supreme Court reforms driven by disaffected Democrats skewing polls https://t.co/IgpnVGj5TH via @dcexaminer
— † Crusader (@Wil_Johnson1) August 1, 2024
As this dramatic overture unfolds, it is essential to recognize the external pressures influencing Biden’s decisions. Left-leaning groups are amplifying demands for court reform, with substantial funding backing campaigns fighting against the so-called “MAGA Supreme Court.” Such movements often ignore the fact that Supreme Court justices are, in fact, making decisions based on constitutional and legal principles rather than partisan preferences. The conservative Judicial Crisis Network highlights that these dark money entities are more interested in tearing down institutional integrity than promoting genuine reform, making their motives anything but altruistic.
Biden’s ambitious reform proposal seems to be a case of grandstanding, showing a disregard for the real dynamics at play in public sentiment regarding the Supreme Court. Instead of uniting the nation behind essential judicial principles, the focus rests squarely on appeasing a dwindling partisan audience. With less than 100 days until the elections, the grinding gears of political maneuvering may deliver some temporary excitement, but the stability of the Supreme Court rests firmly on the judiciary’s commitment to the rule of law, not the latest whims of a beleaguered political figure.
