Kamala Harris Proposes Supreme Court Expansion

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is advocating for an expansion of the Supreme Court, which many consider a questionable approach.

This idea has its roots in a past political maneuver by FDR, who, after securing a second term, attempted to appoint 15 justices in 1937 to counter conservative resistance to his New Deal agenda. Ultimately, his proposal faced substantial backlash, and Congress, despite a Democratic majority, did not support it.

Some Democrats back then feared such a move would severely undermine the independence of the judiciary. Interestingly, following FDR’s push, the Supreme Court began to support key New Deal programs, perhaps in response to the political climate.

Harris has mentioned she’s “searching for ideas,” including possibly packing the Court and addressing issues with the Electoral College. She has voiced these thoughts during discussions with liberal groups, suggesting that both statehood for Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico could benefit Democrats.

In her 2024 campaign, Harris, who took over as the Democratic nominee after Biden’s exit, faced significant challenges, notably losing in all seven battleground states against Trump. Her campaign was particularly cautious, with a notable reluctance to engage the media early on.

More recently, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Harris, calling her plan a “dangerous ploy.” He emphasized that simply dismantling existing systems isn’t a plausible solution just because a party faces electoral losses.

Concerns linger among politicians about tampering with the courts or the Electoral College, largely due to the fear of future repercussions should power dynamics shift. Republicans worry they might struggle to challenge liberal initiatives if the tables turn.

During her campaign, Harris struggled to establish her distinct identity, once remarking that she wasn’t sure how she would have acted differently from Biden. Meanwhile, Biden has remained largely out of sight while dealing with personal health issues, prompting Democrats to distance themselves from him.

Former President Trump, while fighting through various legal challenges, has maintained a heightened presence, often alluding to Biden even in unrelated contexts. For instance, he questioned Biden’s ability to influence arms sales to Taiwan with a notable jab at Obama during a recent interview.

The affection for Obama remains strong within the Democratic Party despite the reliance on his critiques of Trump. Some speculate that with the upcoming 2028 election, various candidates, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, may challenge Harris for the nomination.

If Harris is strategic, she might reconsider her move to expand the Supreme Court, invoking the lessons learned from FDR’s earlier attempts. Perhaps it’s time for her to let this idea fade, just as it did almost nine decades ago.