WASHINGTON D.C.- On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court rendered unconstitutional race-based, ‘Affirmative-Action’, college admissions policies. The long-awaited decision is a blow to progressives who have championed Affirmative Action policies as benefiting racial minorities.
Harvard College and the University of North Carolina had been separately sued by a group of students officially known as “Students for Fair Admissions” claiming racial discrimination. All six conservative judges ruled against the universities in 6-3 and 6-2 decisions. Corresponding Supreme Court case briefs and the full decisions can be found here.
Conservatives and Progressives have been quick to hail and undermine the decision, respectively. President Joe Biden has lamented the decision. “We cannot let today's Supreme Court decision be a permanent setback for the country,” said President Biden.
To substitute Affirmative Action, Biden suggested colleges implement admissions systems that “take into account the adversity a student has overcome when selecting among qualified applicants.”
Today, I want to offer some guidance to our nation’s colleges as they review their admissions systems after today’s Supreme Court decision:
They should not abandon their commitment to ensure student bodies of diverse backgrounds and experience that reflect all of America. pic.twitter.com/zrsCl8s1Jd
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 29, 2023
Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have both celebrated the SCOTUS decision. “The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities,” remarked Governor DeSantis.
College admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity.
The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 29, 2023
“Our greatest minds must be cherished and that’s what this wonderful day has brought,” emphasized former president Trump.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 29, 2023
Some conservatives and Trump supporters have credited Trump for the decision, as he appointed half of the judges who voted in favor of derogating affirmative action.
In the Senate, both Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have congratulated the SCOTUS for its decision. Both Senators have an anti-affirmative action and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) track record.
While advertising his plan to eliminate racial politics, Senator Scott stated “This should have been a 9-0 decision, but it’s still a huge step toward colorblind equality in America.”
I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to take race out of college admissions. This should have been a 9-0 decision, but it’s still a huge step toward colorblind equality in America.
Read my plan to eliminate racial politics here:https://t.co/uQfG6BBMNz
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 29, 2023
Similarly, Senator Rubio explained the “decision from the Supreme Court is the right one: students should be judged on their merits, not the color of their skin.”
Powerful and wise words from Justice Clarence Thomas.
Today’s decision from the Supreme Court is the right one: students should be judged on their merits, not the color of their skin. pic.twitter.com/KQpYR8UjJR
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) June 29, 2023
Rubio also recently introduced the Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act to combat Affirmative Action and DEI initiatives.
