Rielly Pulliam
Managing Editor
The death of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg saddened many who followed her career in American politics. Ginsburg was only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court and served from 1993 until her death on Sept. 18, 2020.
Her death however, has left President Donald Trump with the opportunity to install a conservative majority on the highest court.
While the President has the power to nominate someone to fill the position, some question the timing. There are no requirements of age, citizenship or experience of a Supreme Court justice making it easier to find someone to fill the seat. Although there are no strict guidelines to get a judge put on the bench, there has to be a limit on the power President Trump holds.
America’s political institutions are currently biased in favor of conservatives. They have put in place restrictive voting laws making it harder for lower income non-white and young Americans to vote. Republicans already have an advantage in the run for House and the chamber is seven points redder than the whole nation. Out of the past five elections, two have been won by Republicans who didn’t win the popular vote, thanks to the electoral college.
The conservative movement is already prospering and allowing Republicans to secure excessive amounts of power. The opportunity to replace a liberal icon weeks before the election seems completely bizarre to the rest of the world but to politicians, it’s just another game of hardball.
The GOP controls the Senate by a 53-47 margain, so in theory they have the power to fill the seat.Trump is itching to fill the seat and acting too quickly on this decision could be bad for Americans.
It doesn’t make sense to rush and fill the seat weeks before the election. To be fair, Americans should pick a new President who then nominates someone for the seat. Allowing Trump to replace Ginsburg on the Supreme Court before the election only gives conservatives more power they don’t need.
Trump’s desire to fill the seat only works to his benefit and replacing Ginsburg just weeks after her death is completely insensitive. The desire for power is nothing new in politics but there have to be lines you cannot cross when holding such a high position like President of the United States.
The Republicans vote could lock in a decades long conservative majority in the highest court in America. It would behoove Senate Republicans to delay the confirmation vote until after the election to avoid backlash from Americans.
There is hope that the Democrats will be able to delay the vote, but with such a strong conservative influence in political institutions there is no guarantee.
Trump needs to allow for Americans to be heard and not take this opportunity to abuse his power.
Be First to Comment