A trio of Cuban American House Republicans recently released a video where they likened President Biden's proposal to transform the Supreme Court to tactics employed by infamous Latin American autocrats. The trio, consisting of Florida GOP Reps. Maria Salazar, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Carlos Gimenez, expressed strong opposition to Biden's plan, drawing parallels to former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and current President Nicolás Maduro.
In the video, Salazar criticized Biden's proposal as 'outrageous' and contrary to the American system's exceptionalism. Diaz-Balart emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court in upholding the rule of law and democracy in the United States, warning that any attempt to alter its structure posed a significant threat to democracy and freedom.
Gimenez highlighted historical examples from Venezuela, citing Chávez's manipulation of the Supreme Court to consolidate power. The trio collectively voiced concerns about the potential impact of Biden's plan on national security and the integrity of democracy in the U.S.
Biden's proposal, outlined in an op-ed, includes measures such as a binding code of ethics, limits on presidential immunity, and term limits for Supreme Court justices. While Democratic allies supported the initiative, Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, strongly opposed it, labeling it as an attempt to delegitimize the Supreme Court.
Despite calls for reform from both sides, Johnson indicated that any changes to the Supreme Court would face resistance in a GOP-controlled House. The debate over Biden's proposal reflects broader divisions within Congress regarding the future of the Supreme Court and its role in American democracy.
