The US President, Joe Biden, has met with sudden criticism after he oddly referred to US Representative Mike Johnson as ‘dead on arrival.’ Biden’s comment came as a response to Johnson’s opposition against his proposed reforms to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).
The event took place in a press conference held by the President. The press conference took an unprecedented turn when Biden started discussing the potential reforms for the SCOTUS. In particular, Biden expressed his intention to form a commission to recommend changes to the Supreme Court’s composition and structure – a proposal that has elicited a mixture of critique and support across the political spectrum.
Among the critics of this proposition is US Representative Mike Johnson. Johnson has powerfully voiced his opposition against the proposed reforms and made it clear that he doesn’t believe the SCOTUS requires any changes. He argues that the current setup of the court provides balance and neutrality, maintaining that any proposed alterations are politically driven and may damage the court’s credibility.
Johnson’s criticism was backed up by several other conservatives who also believe the proposition could transform the Supreme Court into a political pawn. They have expressed fears that these changes could threaten the independence of the judiciary, disrupting the check and balance system embedded in the constitution.
However, Biden’s response to the criticism was unexpected and controversial. The President referenced Johnson and simply answered with the unusual phrase ‘dead on arrival.’ This throwaway comment, although made offhand, has drawn considerable attention and backlash. Many are questioning why the President would use such a term to refer to a senior politician, who is alive, expressing a viewpoint contrary to his own.
In particular, the phrase ‘dead on arrival’ seems to suggest that Biden will not respect or consider the input of Johnson, or of any other objectors for that matter, thus exacerbating the divide between the supporters and detractors of the reform. The unusual phrase used has only fueled speculation as to Biden’s intentions for the proposed SCOTUS reforms.
Political commentators have been quick to highlight how the comment is indicative of a dismissive approach to discourse surrounding these potential reforms. This has raised questions and concerns around the transparency and openness of the process, throwing the move towards proposed SCOTUS reforms into further controversy.
As the debate rages on, with everyone from legislators to legal experts, and even the general public, weighing in, the confusion around the President’s choice of words remains. It has served to underline the sensitive and contentious nature of these proposed changes,
