White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded to Sen. Ted Cruzâs (R-Texas) claim that President Joe Bidenâs pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court is âoffensive.â
During a White House press briefing Tuesday, Psaki told reporters, âJust 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.â
She continued, âSo, take Senator Cruz himself. He had no objection to Donald Trump promising heâd nominate a woman in 2020 ⌠In fact, he praised her on these grounds.â
Psaki noted during Barrettâs confirmation, Cruz said, âI think youâre an amazing role model for little girls. What advice would you give little girls?â
Watch Psakiâs comments below:
During an episode of the podcast âVerdictâ with co-host Michael Knowles, Cruz explained, âBlack women are, what, 6% of the U.S. population? Heâs saying to 94% of Americans, âI donât give a damn about you.'â
He added, âAnd heâs also saying, itâs actually an insult to Black women. If he came and said, âIâm going to put the best jurist on the court,â and he looked at a number of people and he ended up nominating a Black woman, he could credibly say, âOkay, Iâm nominating the person whoâs most qualified.'â
Cruz suggested Democrats will âdiscriminate based on race.â
Other Republicans appear to be open to voting for Bidenâs nominee, according to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), as IJR reported.
He told reporters Monday that he had âspoken and texted to several Republican senators that I think may be open to the idea â no promises made â of considering a Biden nominee for the court.â
