Joe Biden sparred with House Speaker Mike Johnson over proposed reforms to the Supreme Court [1] during an odd exchange with reporters on Monday.
Biden’s remarks followed his call for term limits and a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, which drew sharp criticism from Johnson earlier in the day.
President Biden was just asked on the tarmac about Speaker Johnson calling his Supreme Court reform “dead on arrival.” “That’s what he is,” Biden said. Asked for clarification, a reporter shouted, “That he is?” Biden responded: “He is. Dead on arrival.” pic.twitter.com/kEOV2y21Yi [2]
— Matt Viser (@mviser) July 29, 2024 [3]
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, condemned Biden’s proposal as a radical overhaul that threatens to upset the balance of power in the nation’s highest court.
President Biden’s proposal to radically overhaul the U.S. Supreme Court would tilt the balance of power and erode not only the rule of law, but the American people’s faith in our system of justice.
This proposal is the logical conclusion to the Biden-Harris Administration and…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 29, 2024 [4]
“This proposal is the logical conclusion to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional Democrats’ ongoing efforts to delegitimize the Supreme Court,” Johnson asserted. “Their calls to expand and pack the Court will soon resume.”
He added, “It is telling that Democrats want to change the system that has guided our nation since its founding simply because they disagree with some of the Court’s recent decisions. This dangerous gambit of the Biden-Harris Administration is dead on arrival in the House.”
Biden, arriving in Austin, Texas, faced questions from reporters about Johnson’s comments. When asked for his reaction, Biden initially seemed confused but later clarified his stance with a pointed retort.
“Who said that?” Biden asked in response to the reporter’s question about Johnson’s statement.
“Speaker Johnson said it’s ‘dead on arrival,’” the reporter reiterated.
“I think that’s what he is,” Biden responded, implying his dismissal of Johnson’s stance.
When pressed further for clarity, Biden reaffirmed his position, stating, “That he is – dead on arrival.”
Later, in a speech to an audience in Austin, Biden clarified his earlier remarks, explaining that he was referring to Johnson’s position rather than the Speaker himself.
“The Republican Speaker of the House said, whatever he proposes, [is] dead on arrival,” Biden explained. “I think his thinking is dead on arrival.”
https://t.co/RfSSVaQ1ak [5] pic.twitter.com/RkiTWx2Oms [6]
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 29, 2024 [7]