Marsha Blackburn Says Left May Push Roberts To Seat Judge Jackson To 'Pack' SCOTUS

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By Amelia Mavis ChristnotMay 05, 2022
Amelia Mavis Christnot
Amelia is an Oglala Lakȟóta, Kanien'kehá:ka Haudenosaunee and Métis Navy brat who settled in the wilds of Northern Maine. A member of the Indigenous Journalists Association, she considers herself a proud Maineiac.
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Days after a draft of a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) majority opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization leaked, Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn went to Tucker Carlson's right-wing media outlet The Daily Caller with dire warnings for pro-birth activists.
Blackburn warned Democrats could "pack" the Supreme Court—adding newly confirmed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson before Justice Stephen Bryer retires—to stop the erosion of reproductive rights.
The SCOTUS currently has nine justices—eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. However the United States' Constitution only established the court, not the number of justices.
Over the history of the SCOTUS, the number of justices changed six times between five and ten before settling for the present total of nine in 1869. The court began with only six justices in 1790.
Blackburn claimed Democrats might start pushing Supreme Court Justice John Roberts to seat Jackson on the court. The GOP Senator said Democrats dislike Roe v. Wade being overturned so much they might try to add a seat to the Supreme Court.
Wait\u2026 does Marsha Blackburn think only one black person is allowed on the Supreme Court at a time?https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
 — Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal)
        1651697240
Blackburn told The Daily Caller:
"In April [Biden] did sign those commission papers appointing her to the court.""And I think it’s going to be interesting to see if the left starts pushing Justice Roberts to seat Judge Jackson because they are trying to push the balance of the court."Despite saying might and could, Blackburn then asserted her theories were facts.
"They’re trying to pack the court.""They’re trying to expand the court."Blackburn then claimed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was undermining the legitimacy of the SCOTUS.
Marsha Blackburn will wrest that "Dumbest Senator" tiara from Ron Johnson if it's the last thing she does.https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
 — Liz Dye (@Liz Dye)
        1651695471
She said:
"There is a framework in place that should keep that from happening.""But what we have to be aware of is that the Democrats are taking unprecedented actions."The Republican legislator failed to specify what those actions were, before adding:
"And when you look at what has transpired, when you have Chuck Schumer out there attempting to intimidate or threaten or silence the court and undermine its legitimacy, that is something that is of concern."“This week [Schumer] has been active in trying to undermine the legitimacy of the court and his comment about ‘everything being on the table.’ I just think it is smart for us to be mindful and watchful."Blackburn referred to a comment Schumer made in a 2020 interview about plans for a Democrat controlled Congress, despite the fact as of 2022 none of her dire predictions have come to pass due to obstructionist Democrats like West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
Stone cold ignorance and bigotry is taking over our legislatures. She is up for re-election in 2024. We can do better and we deserve better.https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
 — Beangirl723 (@Beangirl723)
        1651739293
But Blackburn claimed concerns about reproductive rights were unfounded.
"I do think it’s important to note this is not something that would ban abortion. I’ve been surprised that so many activists on the left have referenced what they saw in the Alito draft and have made it sound that this would be an end to abortion.""But that is incorrect. What this would do is return the issue of restrictions on abortion to the states."26 states already have or plan to have laws enacted to limit or eliminate reproductive freedom, however, which many see as a legitimate cause for concern.
Blackburn's latest fear mongering found little support from anyone but her fellow QAnon faithful.
Remember Sen. Blackburn asking Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to define the word \u201cwoman?\u201d\n\nWe now know the answer is: second class citizen with no right to privacy or liberty.pic.twitter.com/AbJT3Ln6Ml
 — R i c a r d (@R i c a r d)
        1651684501
@SpiroAgnewGhost/Twitter
Can the right get it any more wrong? Sen Blackburn needs to ger educated before she makes statements like this. It shows her ignorance.\n\nThe right's strange new offensive against Ketanji Brown Jackson https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/rights-strange-new-offensive-ketanji-brown-jackson-rcna27445\u00a0\u2026 via @msnbc
 — Loretta Sullivan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udea2\ud83d\udc3e (@Loretta Sullivan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udea2\ud83d\udc3e)
        1651775711

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) dodged the question three times in a row, citing her policy of not talking to reporters in Senate hallways \u2015 even though it was Blackburn who made this an issue with Jackson in the first place.https://news.yahoo.com/whats-woman-gop-senators-stumble-094516531.html\u00a0\u2026
 — A.C. Gardo (@A.C. Gardo)
        1651643108

When RepubliQan Sen. Marsha Blackburn asked Ketanji Brown Jackson at her confirmation hearing to define what a woman is, KBJ should have snapped back, \u201cA woman is the SLAVE of the state she lives in.\u201d
 — Kevin A. Donahue (@Kevin A. Donahue)
        1651630961

What was that performance by Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn etc during hearings 4 Judge Jackson's nomination to the SCOTUS. Seriously, what the hell was that? Blackburn even demanded that Justice Jackson tell her what a woman is. A woman is just her uterus, amirite
 — Latest Flash in @MenacingHedge & @museumofamerica (@Latest Flash in @MenacingHedge & @museumofamerica)
        1651613781

Oh look. Here's Blackburn trying & failing to accurately define 'woman'\n\nJackson was adept enough to sidestep a Rep trap. It wasn\u2019t just a dodge. It acknowledged importance of science/expertise in accurately answering...an admirable trait in a SC justice.https://www.dailykos.com/story/2022/4/6/2090386/-What-s-a-woman-Republicans-struggle-to-answer-their-own-gotcha-question\u00a0\u2026
 — BelindaCob\ud83d\udc63 (@BelindaCob\ud83d\udc63)
        1651774628

Yes, the case law Marsha Blackburn told Justice Jackson she thought was decided wrong was a case where the SC overturned a state law that prevented married couples from using contraception. Marsha felt states should be able to stop them from using it
 — ??? (@???)
        1651543547

Judge Brown-Jackson won't rule on this case so your point is pointless. If you watched the confirmation hearings, not the sound bites, you would know that the ? was political grandstanding by Blackburn so she could use it to inflame the hateful. In other words, people like you.
 — Bad Lucky Babe (@Bad Lucky Babe)
        1651672210
\u2066\u2066@MarshaBlackburn\u2069 you mean like the Republicans did?https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
 — tinynancer4 (@tinynancer4)
        1651757241

Marsha Blackburn is an idiot.\n\nSen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) told the Daily Caller that Democrats could try to \u201cpack\u201d the Supreme Court by trying to seat Ketanji Brown Jackson before Justice Stephen Bryer retires in an effort to stop Roe v. Wade from being overturned.
 — Hal Marshall (@Hal Marshall)
        1651728144

Um. Jackson wasn't seated to hear the testimony or ask questions. \n\nHow does this absurdity from Blackburn's imagination get media attention. The only media attention it should get is that she is out of her mind and should seek professional help.
 — nancy c (@nancy c)
        1651697502
Even if Jackson were seated early—which no one other than Blackburn is proposing—Jackson could not rule on any cases heard before her addition to the court.
Perhaps it is that basic knowledge of court procedure that keeps others from panicking over Blackburn's nonsensical dire warnings.
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Days after a draft of a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) majority opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization leaked, Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn went to Tucker Carlson's right-wing media outlet The Daily Caller with dire warnings for pro-birth activists.

Blackburn warned Democrats could "pack" the Supreme Court—adding newly confirmed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson before Justice Stephen Bryer retires—to stop the erosion of reproductive rights.

The SCOTUS currently has nine justices—eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. However the United States' Constitution only established the court, not the number of justices.

Over the history of the SCOTUS, the number of justices changed six times between five and ten before settling for the present total of nine in 1869. The court began with only six justices in 1790.

Blackburn claimed Democrats might start pushing Supreme Court Justice John Roberts to seat Jackson on the court. The GOP Senator said Democrats dislike Roe v. Wade being overturned so much they might try to add a seat to the Supreme Court.

Wait\u2026 does Marsha Blackburn think only one black person is allowed on the Supreme Court at a time?https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1651697240

Blackburn told The Daily Caller:

"In April [Biden] did sign those commission papers appointing her to the court."

"And I think it’s going to be interesting to see if the left starts pushing Justice Roberts to seat Judge Jackson because they are trying to push the balance of the court."

Despite saying might and could, Blackburn then asserted her theories were facts.

"They’re trying to pack the court."

"They’re trying to expand the court."

Blackburn then claimed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was undermining the legitimacy of the SCOTUS.

Marsha Blackburn will wrest that "Dumbest Senator" tiara from Ron Johnson if it's the last thing she does.https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
— Liz Dye (@Liz Dye) 1651695471

She said:

"There is a framework in place that should keep that from happening."

"But what we have to be aware of is that the Democrats are taking unprecedented actions."

The Republican legislator failed to specify what those actions were, before adding:

"And when you look at what has transpired, when you have Chuck Schumer out there attempting to intimidate or threaten or silence the court and undermine its legitimacy, that is something that is of concern."

“This week [Schumer] has been active in trying to undermine the legitimacy of the court and his comment about ‘everything being on the table.’ I just think it is smart for us to be mindful and watchful."

Blackburn referred to a comment Schumer made in a 2020 interview about plans for a Democrat controlled Congress, despite the fact as of 2022 none of her dire predictions have come to pass due to obstructionist Democrats like West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

Stone cold ignorance and bigotry is taking over our legislatures. She is up for re-election in 2024. We can do better and we deserve better.https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
— Beangirl723 (@Beangirl723) 1651739293

But Blackburn claimed concerns about reproductive rights were unfounded.

"I do think it’s important to note this is not something that would ban abortion. I’ve been surprised that so many activists on the left have referenced what they saw in the Alito draft and have made it sound that this would be an end to abortion."

"But that is incorrect. What this would do is return the issue of restrictions on abortion to the states."

26 states already have or plan to have laws enacted to limit or eliminate reproductive freedom, however, which many see as a legitimate cause for concern.

Blackburn's latest fear mongering found little support from anyone but her fellow QAnon faithful.

Remember Sen. Blackburn asking Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to define the word \u201cwoman?\u201d\n\nWe now know the answer is: second class citizen with no right to privacy or liberty.pic.twitter.com/AbJT3Ln6Ml
— R i c a r d (@R i c a r d) 1651684501

@SpiroAgnewGhost/Twitter

Can the right get it any more wrong? Sen Blackburn needs to ger educated before she makes statements like this. It shows her ignorance.\n\nThe right's strange new offensive against Ketanji Brown Jackson https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/rights-strange-new-offensive-ketanji-brown-jackson-rcna27445\u00a0\u2026 via @msnbc
— Loretta Sullivan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udea2\ud83d\udc3e (@Loretta Sullivan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udea2\ud83d\udc3e) 1651775711

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) dodged the question three times in a row, citing her policy of not talking to reporters in Senate hallways \u2015 even though it was Blackburn who made this an issue with Jackson in the first place.https://news.yahoo.com/whats-woman-gop-senators-stumble-094516531.html\u00a0\u2026
— A.C. Gardo (@A.C. Gardo) 1651643108

When RepubliQan Sen. Marsha Blackburn asked Ketanji Brown Jackson at her confirmation hearing to define what a woman is, KBJ should have snapped back, \u201cA woman is the SLAVE of the state she lives in.\u201d
— Kevin A. Donahue (@Kevin A. Donahue) 1651630961

What was that performance by Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn etc during hearings 4 Judge Jackson's nomination to the SCOTUS. Seriously, what the hell was that? Blackburn even demanded that Justice Jackson tell her what a woman is. A woman is just her uterus, amirite
— Latest Flash in @MenacingHedge & @museumofamerica (@Latest Flash in @MenacingHedge & @museumofamerica) 1651613781

Oh look. Here's Blackburn trying & failing to accurately define 'woman'\n\nJackson was adept enough to sidestep a Rep trap. It wasn\u2019t just a dodge. It acknowledged importance of science/expertise in accurately answering...an admirable trait in a SC justice.https://www.dailykos.com/story/2022/4/6/2090386/-What-s-a-woman-Republicans-struggle-to-answer-their-own-gotcha-question\u00a0\u2026
— BelindaCob\ud83d\udc63 (@BelindaCob\ud83d\udc63) 1651774628

Yes, the case law Marsha Blackburn told Justice Jackson she thought was decided wrong was a case where the SC overturned a state law that prevented married couples from using contraception. Marsha felt states should be able to stop them from using it
— ??? (@???) 1651543547

Judge Brown-Jackson won't rule on this case so your point is pointless. If you watched the confirmation hearings, not the sound bites, you would know that the ? was political grandstanding by Blackburn so she could use it to inflame the hateful. In other words, people like you.
— Bad Lucky Babe (@Bad Lucky Babe) 1651672210

\u2066\u2066@MarshaBlackburn\u2069 you mean like the Republicans did?https://dailycaller.com/2022/05/04/marsha-blackburn-warns-possibility-democrats-pack-supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-roe-v-wade-chuck-schumer/\u00a0\u2026
— tinynancer4 (@tinynancer4) 1651757241

Marsha Blackburn is an idiot.\n\nSen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) told the Daily Caller that Democrats could try to \u201cpack\u201d the Supreme Court by trying to seat Ketanji Brown Jackson before Justice Stephen Bryer retires in an effort to stop Roe v. Wade from being overturned.
— Hal Marshall (@Hal Marshall) 1651728144

Um. Jackson wasn't seated to hear the testimony or ask questions. \n\nHow does this absurdity from Blackburn's imagination get media attention. The only media attention it should get is that she is out of her mind and should seek professional help.
— nancy c (@nancy c) 1651697502

Even if Jackson were seated early—which no one other than Blackburn is proposing—Jackson could not rule on any cases heard before her addition to the court.

Perhaps it is that basic knowledge of court procedure that keeps others from panicking over Blackburn's nonsensical dire warnings.

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