Political Fallout Surges Following Affirmative Action Supreme Court Decision

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.”

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.

 

“Our greatest minds must be cherished and that’s what this wonderful day has brought,” emphasized former president Trump.

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.”

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.”

Rubio also recently introduced the Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act to combat Affirmative Action and DEI initiatives.