In the wake of the recent appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, there has been renewed discussion about potential reforms and changes to the structure of the highest court in the land. President-Elect Joe Biden has signaled a willingness to explore big reforms to the Supreme Court, including expanding the number of justices on the bench. This move would mark a major shift in the way the Supreme Court operates and could have far-reaching implications for the future of the judiciary in the United States.
The idea of expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court is not a new one. In fact, the number of justices on the court has fluctuated throughout history, with the current number of nine justices being set in 1869. The concept of expanding the court, commonly referred to as court-packing, has been a topic of hot debate for many years, with proponents arguing that a larger court would help balance the ideological makeup of the bench and ensure a more diverse range of perspectives.
While the idea of expanding the Supreme Court is controversial, it is not without precedent. In the early 20th century, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed expanding the court in response to perceived obstructionism from the conservative justices on the bench. Although Roosevelt’s plan ultimately failed, it sparked a national conversation about the role and structure of the Supreme Court.
President-Elect Joe Biden has not explicitly endorsed court-packing, but he has expressed a willingness to consider major reforms to the judiciary, including a potential expansion of the Supreme Court. Biden’s soft stance on court-packing has garnered both support and criticism from across the political spectrum, with some praising his openness to change and others cautioning against such a significant alteration to the court.
If Biden were to pursue a plan to expand the Supreme Court, it would likely face significant opposition from Republicans and conservative groups. Critics of court-packing argue that expanding the number of justices for political gain undermines the independence and integrity of the judiciary. They warn that such a move could set a dangerous precedent and lead to a cycle of retaliatory court-packing whenever power changes hands.
Supporters of expanding the Supreme Court, on the other hand, believe that a larger bench would help depoliticize the court and ensure a more balanced and representative judiciary. They argue that increasing the number of justices would dilute the influence of any one ideological bloc and promote greater diversity of opinion in Supreme Court decisions.
In conclusion, the potential endorsement of big Supreme Court reform by President-Elect Joe Biden represents a major shift in the national dialogue about the judiciary and the balance of power in the United States. While the idea of expanding the Supreme Court is controversial and divisive, it is a conversation worth having as we look to ensure a fair and impartial judiciary for all Americans. The future of the Supreme Court remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: change may be on the horizon.