AOC and Ilhan Omar Call For Expanding the Court Following Judge Barrett’s Confirmation

Justice Clarence Thomas administered the constitutional oath at tonight’s ceremony Judge Amy Coney Barrett, fresh off her confirmation to serve as an associate justice on the nation’s highest court.

Barrett spoke to an audience on the South Lawn of the White House and said, “It is the job of a senator to pursue her policy preferences. In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty for her to put policy goals aside. By contrast, it is the job of a judge to resist her policy preferences. It would be a dereliction of duty for her to give into them. Federal judges don’t stand for election. Thus, they have no basis for claiming that their preferences reflect those of the people.”

Democratic House Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY.) and Ilhan Omar (Minn.) tweeted out after the court to “Expand the court.”

AOC added, “Republicans do this because they don’t believe Dems have the stones to play hardball like they do. And for a long time they’ve been correct. But do not let them bully the public into thinking their bulldozing is normal but a response isn’t. There is a legal process for expansion.”

Republicans do this because they don’t believe Dems have the stones to play hardball like they do. And for a long time they’ve been correct. But do not let them bully the public into thinking their bulldozing is normal but a response isn’t. There is a legal process for expansion.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 27, 2020

Omar went in a different direction by pointing out that “Remember that Republicans have lost 6 of the last 7 popular votes, but have appointed 6 of the last 9 justices.”

“By expanding the court we fix this broken system and have the court better represent the values of the American people,” she reasoned.

Remember that Republicans have lost 6 of the last 7 popular votes, but have appointed 6 of the last 9 justices.

By expanding the court we fix this broken system and have the court better represent the values of the American people.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 27, 2020

Judge Barrett insisted in her speech that the separation of duty is what makes the judiciary distinct as she said, “A judge declares independence not only from Congress and the president, but also from the private beliefs that might otherwise move her.”