In a recent CNN discussion, Bakari Sellers suggested that President Joe Biden consider nominating Vice President Kamala Harris to the Supreme Court.
This proposal comes with the possible anticipation of a vacancy if Justice Sonia Sotomayor steps down and aims to preempt a nomination by former President Donald Trump should he take office again, Daily Mail reported.
During the show, Sellers, a former South Carolina legislator and current CNN commentator, discussed the possibility that Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 70, might resign, allowing Biden to appoint her successor before Trump could potentially influence the Supreme Court further if re-elected.
Sonia Sotomayor has not publicly reacted to the ideas being floated regarding her retirement. Nonetheless, the discussion has stirred significant attention and debate on the implications of such a strategic move within the judicial system.
Sellers advocated for VP Kamala Harris as a potential nominee to replace Sotomayor. Harris has an extensive legal background, including her roles as the Attorney General of California, the District Attorney of San Francisco, and a U.S. Senator, which Sellers argues qualifies her for the position.
People view the idea of nominating a political figure like Harris to the Supreme Court as unconventional, as selectors typically choose nominees from active judiciary members rather than politicians. With this proposal, Sellers underscores a drastic shift from traditional nomination choices, which usually favor long-standing judicial figures.
Bakari Sellers stated his desire to disrupt the norm and challenge the status quo with his proposal. “I think it’s something that should happen,” Sellers remarked confidently during the segment.
Bakari Sellers continued with a defiant tone, "I don’t care about drawing outside the lines or what Republicans may think about it. This is within your purview. You can actually do it and you should do it. You have a hell of a vice president right there who has a legal pedigree to sit on a Supreme Court. And let Republicans go crazy, ape, I’m even mentioning that option."
CNN host John Berman responded with visible astonishment at the boldness of the proposal, expressing skepticism about its practical implementation.
The notion of Harris for the Supreme Court is not new; in fact, some briefly considered her in 2022 to fill Justice Stephen Breyer’s vacancy. Nevertheless, leaders ultimately did not pursue it seriously, and President Biden instead nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Meanwhile, Democratic political circles have shown limited support for the suggestion, further underscoring the contentious and unprecedented nature of this campaign strategy. Even so, Sellers remains one of the few vocal proponents, given his longstanding support for Harris’s political career.
In conclusion, Bakari Sellers’ provocative proposal to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris for the Supreme Court, should Justice Sonia Sotomayor retire, reflects a strategic attempt to shape future judicial appointments. This approach clearly diverges from traditional nomination protocols and has sparked ongoing debate over political and judicial norms. Ultimately, Sellers has positioned this idea as a calculated response to potential Republican nominees under the next administration, though it currently has only limited backing from other Democrats.
