Former U.S. attorneys general have sent a letter to executives at Disney-owned ABC News urging the network to ask a specific question about the U.S. Supreme Court during the next presidential debate.
Vice President Harris and former President Trump are scheduled to face off on ABC on September 10. The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital and addressed to debate hosts Lindsey Davis and David Muir and ABC executives, was signed by former Attorneys General William Barr, Edwin Meese, Michael Mukasey, Jeff Sessions and Kelly Shackelford, president of the First Liberty Institute.
“The United States Supreme Court is one of the most important institutions in the nation. The decisions its Justices make have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of all Americans. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, have sparked a national debate about the structure and role of the U.S. Supreme Court. Yet presidential candidates have had little opportunity to explain where they stand on this important issue,” the letter begins.
James Carville says Americans want Trump-Harris debate to be a 'disaster'
Former Attorneys General William Barr, Edwin Meese, Michael Mukasey and Jeff Sessions have asked the ABC debate moderators to question them about the future of the Supreme Court. (Drew Ungerer/AFP via Getty Images)
“As the American people prepare to vote in the presidential election, it would be useful and appropriate to hear how former President Trump and Vice President Harris intend to influence the Supreme Court,” the letter continued. “We respectfully ask that you consider asking the following question during the ABC 2024 Presidential Debate:
The former attorney general detailed two questions he wants President Trump and Harris to answer.
“Recently, a national debate has ignited over the appropriate structure, role, and jurisdiction of the United States Supreme Court. Several measures have been proposed to reform the Supreme Court, including President Joe Biden's proposal to impose term limits on U.S. Supreme Court Justices and impose an 'ethics' code of conduct. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has proposed legislation to strip the U.S. Supreme Court of its jurisdiction to hear certain cases. Many of these proposals would require the enactment of amendments to the U.S. Constitution. However, one proposal that would only require a simple majority in Congress to pass is a measure to expand the size of the U.S. Supreme Court by adding additional justices,” they explained, suggesting they ask Trump and Harris about their stance on Supreme Court expansion.
Harris vs. Trump showdown: Top political handicaps shift support in key states
Former U.S. attorneys general have sent a letter to executives at Disney-owned ABC News urging the network to ask a specific question about the U.S. Supreme Court during the next presidential debate. (Gary Hirschhorn/Getty Images)
“Nominations to the United States Supreme Court are among the most significant executive actions a president can take. Most presidential appointments, even cabinet-level nominations, are temporary. But appointments to the United States Supreme Court are for life,” they continued. “Past judicial appointments have had an undeniable impact on the ideological balance of the Supreme Court that continues to this day. Presidential nominations to the United States Supreme Court will affect the lives of all Americans.”
Barr, Meese, Mukasey, Sessions and Shackelford suggested the ABC hosts ask, “If a vacancy occurs during your presidency, what criteria would you consider when deciding who to nominate to the Supreme Court of the United States?”
“Thank you for your consideration. We hope that the questions we have proposed and their answers will shed light on an issue that matters deeply to millions of Americans,” they wrote at the end of the letter.
ABC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Click here to get the FOX News app
