AOC implies lack of oversight for Supreme Court.

Daily Wire NewsJuly 2, 2023

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Suggests Supreme Court Lacks Checks and Balances

In a recent interview with CNN, ocasio-cortez“>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) made a bold claim about the U.S. Supreme Court, suggesting that there are no checks on their power and no balancing forces in place. However, this assertion overlooks the existing mechanisms that regulate the Court’s authority.

It is important to note that the executive branch nominates justices to the Court, and Congress has the responsibility to approve these nominations. Furthermore, Congress holds the power to impeach justices if necessary. These processes serve as crucial checks and balances on the Supreme Court’s power.

Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks came in response to President Joe Biden’s statement opposing the expansion of the Court. Biden expressed concerns that such a move could lead to the politicization of the Court, which would have long-lasting negative consequences.

Despite the existing checks and balances, Ocasio-Cortez argued that she believes justices should have their power limited. However, it is important to remember that no federal official possesses unlimited power.

Ocasio-Cortez warned that without any checks or balances, the Supreme Court could become an undemocratic and dangerously authoritarian institution. She cited recent rulings on abortion rights and LGBTQ rights as examples of the Court’s alleged expansion of power. Ocasio-Cortez even referenced Justice Elena Kagan’s statement that the Court is assuming the role of a legislature.

It is crucial to have a robust discussion about the role and power of the Supreme Court. However, it is equally important to acknowledge the existing checks and balances that prevent the Court from becoming an unchecked authority.

Watch the interview:

AOC: “The courts, if they were to proceed without any check on their power, without any balance on their power, then we will start to see an undemocratic and frankly dangerous authoritarian expansion of power in the Supreme Court, which is what we are seeing now.” pic.twitter.com/pndYqziZHk

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 2, 2023

Partial Transcript:

DANA BASH: Congresswoman, you have called on President Biden to expand the Supreme Court to 13 justices.

But even after Roe was overruled last year and this past week, what we saw with affirmative action and other cases, I want you to listen to what President Biden said. He just said this on Thursday on MSNBC.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: I think, if we start the process of trying to expand the court, we’re going to politicize it maybe forever in a way that is not healthy.

NICOLLE WALLACE, MSNBC HOST: That you can’t get back?

BIDEN: That I can’t get back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: I’d like you to respond to that.

And, also, you mentioned a moment ago judicial review. Are you also saying that the justices’ power should somehow be limited?

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: I truly do. And this is not a new development in history. This is part of our system of checks and balances.

The courts, if they were to proceed without any check on their power, without any balance on their power, then we will start to see an undemocratic and, frankly, dangerous authoritarian expansion of power in the Supreme Court, which is what we are seeing now, from the overturning of abortion rights, to the ruling that discrimination and, frankly, stripping the full personhood and dignity of LGBTQ people in the United States.

This is — these are the types of rulings that signal a dangerous creep towards authoritarianism and centralization of power in the court. In fact, we have members of the court themselves, with Justice Elena Kagan, saying that the court is beginning to assume the power of a legislature.

BASH: Congresswoman…

OCASIO-CORTEZ: And, right now, whether it is expansion of the court…