Biden on Court Packing: ‘I’m Not a Fan’ but ‘It Depends’ on How Barrett’s Nomination Is Handled
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is clear that he believes the issue of whether he supports adding seats to the Supreme Court is simply a distraction from the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the court…
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is clear that he believes the issue of whether he supports adding seats to the Supreme Court is simply a distraction from the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the court.
During a town hall event hosted by ABC News on Thursday, Biden was asked if he would support “safeguards that would help ensure more long-term balance and stability” in regards to the Supreme Court.
Biden began by saying he believes there is a “great reason to be concerned” about the “erosion of rights” for the LGBTQ community. However, he tried to stay away from the issue of adding more seats to the Supreme Court — commonly called court packing.
Moderator George Stephonapolous interjected to note that the former vice president said he opposed court packing during a Democratic primary debate in 2019. He asked if Biden still holds that position or if Barrett’s nomination is “reason enough to rethink your position.”
“You know if I had answered the question correctly, then all the focus would be on, ‘What’s Biden going to do if he wins?’ Instead of on is it appropriate what is going on now?” Biden responded.
He continued, “I have not been a fan of court packing because then it just generates … whoever wins it just keeps moving in a way that is inconsistent with what is going to be manageable.”