The White House is pushing back against what they say is a double standard on President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court vow.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates claimed Republicans are hypocritical in their criticism of Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to the court.
Bates told Fox News, “When Donald Trump promised to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court just over a year ago none of these members objected.”
He continued, “Yet now, before they know a thing about the record, qualifications or character of the nominee to be chosen, a number of them are saying outright that they will vote against her regardless of her merit.”
Bates called the criticism “flatly wrong.”
He mentioned former President Reagan’s promise to nominate the first woman to the court.
“When he fulfilled his campaign promise to confirm the first woman to the Supreme Court, President Reagan highlighted the unique opportunities in America ‘that [permit] persons of any sex, age, or race, from every section and every walk of life to aspire and achieve in a manner never before even dreamed about in human history,'” Bates explained.
He added, “It’s for the exact same reason that President Biden will confirm another historic nominee, with the strongest credentials anyone could have, working in good faith with both parties.”
Republicans, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), have spoken out against Biden’s promise.
Hawley argued last week the Biden administration is “the most race-obsessed, gender-obsessed” and a “hard woke-left administration.”
Cruz suggested Biden’s vow is “offensive.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Cruz’s comments during a press briefing, as IJR reported.
“Just over a year ago, the previous president also promised to select a woman for the Supreme Court. Not only were there no complaints about choosing a nominee from a specific demographic, from the same corners, but there was widespread praise of now-Justice Barrett on those grounds with Republican lawmakers highlighting that they thought this was positive for women in America,” Psaki said.
She continued, “So, take Senator Cruz himself. He had no objection to Donald Trump promising he’d nominate a woman in 2020 … In fact, he praised her on these grounds.”
