Former Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a fierce attack on the Supreme Court's decision allowing states to dismantle Black-majority congressional districts, accusing Republicans of using the ruling to "cheat" ahead of midterm elections.
Harris Accuses GOP of 'Back-Dooring Racism'
Speaking on a call with the nonprofit organization Emerge on Wednesday, Harris said the court's ruling effectively permits "back-dooring racism through politics." She argued that the decision intentionally suppresses the voice of the people, particularly Black voters.
Harris's comments follow the Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which dealt a significant blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The court held that voters hindered from voting due to race must prove they were victims of "intentional discrimination," a high legal bar.
Push for Supreme Court and Electoral College Reform
Harris raised the possibility of Supreme Court reform, including expanding the number of justices. Democrats have floated this idea since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020, which allowed then-President Donald Trump to appoint a third conservative justice, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority.
"Let's invite a discussion about how do we push for statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C.; how are we thinking about the Electoral College," Harris said. "We've got to neutralize this red-state cheating."
Republican States Redraw Maps
In the wake of the Callais ruling, Republican-controlled states in the South have moved quickly to redraw congressional maps. Tennessee eliminated its only Black-majority district in Memphis, splitting it into three districts that dilute Black voting power. Similar efforts are underway in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Harris argued that the ruling is part of a broader GOP plan to "cheat" in upcoming midterms, with voting already underway in some states. She noted that voters are paying attention to issues like gas prices, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and unemployment.
Republican Backlash
House Speaker Mike Johnson responded sharply, accusing Harris and Democrats of being "institutional arsonists." "It's a dangerous thing, a dangerous gambit," Johnson said. "You don't just blow up the system when you lose." He called Harris's suggestion to pack the Supreme Court "outrageous."
