Clyburn Backs Court Packing, Regrets Defending Clarence Thomas
Rep. Jim Clyburn endorsed expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices and expressed regret for supporting Clarence Thomas's 1991 confirmation, calling it a significant mistake.
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina confirmed his backing for expanding the nation’s highest court to 13 justices during an appearance on NBC News’s Meet the Press, according to Brady Knox writing in Washington Examiner. The proposal represents one of the most radical institutional changes advocated by the Democratic Party’s progressive faction in recent years.
When questioned about former Vice President Kamala Harris’s previous proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court seats to 13, Clyburn voiced his agreement with the unprecedented expansion plan.
The Democratic power broker described the current moment as one requiring dramatic congressional action. He suggested that 13 justices would constitute an appropriate number for the court, adding that he hoped any new appointees would adhere to what he characterized as the constitutional foundations of the country.
Clyburn also criticized the current Supreme Court, claiming the justices have chosen to reverse course and take this country back.
Regrets Over Thomas Confirmation
During the same interview, the South Carolina congressman acknowledged what he described as a significant mistake: his defense of Clarence Thomas during the justice’s contentious 1991 confirmation proceedings.
Clyburn stated he had held faith that Thomas’s personal background and life experiences would shape his judicial approach on the bench. He said he expected Thomas would uphold court precedents supporting the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act, expressing surprise at what he characterized as Thomas rebelling against his own history.
Growing Support for Court Packing
The idea of expanding the Supreme Court, once considered beyond acceptable political discourse, has gained traction among Democratic progressives seeking to counter the conservative majority currently seated on the court. Prominent party figures have shown increasing willingness to entertain such proposals as the progressive wing has expanded its influence within Democratic ranks.
The push to add justices represents an effort to dilute conservative influence on the court through the appointment of additional left-leaning justices, fundamentally altering the balance of America’s judicial branch.
With information from Washington Examiner
