Supreme Court Justices that Trump appointed are now backstabbing him.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, recently found himself praising Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett for her crucial role in a recent decision, despite having previously criticized her and the Court she serves on. This shift in Raskin’s tone came after Barrett cast the decisive vote in a closely contested 5-4 ruling that challenged the Trump administration, siding with liberal justices and Chief Justice John Roberts to order the White House to pay $2 billion to USAID contractors.
During a panel discussion at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, Raskin acknowledged Barrett’s role, stating that he was surprised the decision wasn’t unanimous. “It’s shocking that was a five-to-four decision instead of a nine-to-zero decision,” Raskin commented, emphasizing the contentious political climate. Nonetheless, he chose to commend Barrett, saying, “Let’s hear it for Amy Coney Barrett standing up for the Constitution!”
However, Raskin’s admiration for Barrett is a stark contrast to his past criticisms. In 2022, he labeled the Supreme Court an “illegitimately composed institution rendering illegitimate decisions” and likened Barrett to a villainous character from The Handmaid’s Tale. At that time, Raskin had fiercely condemned the Court’s conservative majority, especially after Barrett’s confirmation.
Despite his earlier comments, Raskin, on Friday, defended the importance of upholding the rule of law. In a passionate statement, he reminded the audience of the core responsibility of the president: “To take care that the laws are faithfully executed, not distorted, warped, or trashed.” Raskin underscored that this principle applied to all presidents, including Donald Trump.
While Raskin’s praise for Barrett may seem contradictory to his previous attacks on her, it serves as a reminder of the complexities of political and legal battles — where even fierce adversaries can occasionally find common ground when it comes to the Constitution.
