Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the Supreme Court and Justice Clarence Thomas for recent decisions, labeling the high court as an “activist court.” In an interview with the New York Times published on Thursday, Harris referenced the 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, highlighting abortion as a key issue in her and President Joe Biden’s campaign for re-election.
Harris expressed concerns about the court potentially reversing recognized rights but refrained from naming specific decisions to avoid sounding “alarmist.” She specifically cited Thomas’s comments in the Dobbs decision, where he criticized past court decisions for allegedly creating rights beyond the Constitution.
The Biden-Harris campaign has consistently condemned the Supreme Court, particularly regarding the Dobbs ruling that returned abortion regulations to the states. Abortion has been a focal point in the campaign’s efforts to attract voters.
The interview with the New York Times coincided with reports of Biden’s strained relationship with the outlet due to his avoidance of traditional sit-down interviews during his presidency. Instead, Biden has opted for appearances on non-traditional platforms like Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Howard Stern Show.
The New York Times has urged Biden to engage with mainstream outlets like itself, the Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal, arguing that evading interviews from major news organizations sets a concerning precedent for future presidents to avoid scrutiny and accountability.
