Opinion: Prospective Supreme Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett - Closing Every Door that RBG Opened

*Content Warning: Brief mentions of rape and sexual assault*

Renowned Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia conceded, “You always wonder whether you’re losing your grip and whether your current opinions are not as good as your old ones.” As a member of the Supreme Court for 30 years, Scalia touches upon a sensitive issue of the significance and possible detriment of lifetime terms. The framers of the Constitution feared a transition of power would simply shift from one oppressive regime to another. Limiting the power of the federal government served as a significant task for them to overcome, and in response, a system of checks and balances was devised. Each branch of government- legislative, executive, and judicial - would have certain powers to ensure the even spread of political power. For the judiciary, the Supreme Court of the United States was established, for which justices would be appointed to lifetime roles by just the president. Over time, however, the intent of the Constitution has misaligned from modern outcomes, which is why the call for change is especially imminent.

Seeing that presidential appointments of Supreme Court justices is essentially an unchecked power, one single president should not have the ability to sway the way that the supreme court decides. Sure, senate confirmation exists, but the Republican-majority senate would stand strongly behind the appointment of another conservative judge. President Trump has had the privilege of appointing two supreme court justices already - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - and now, after the death of notoriously liberal RBG, he has appointed Amy Coney Barrett. Having already swayed the court to a 5-4 conservative majority, the addition of Barrett would solidify the conservative stronghold over the Supreme Court. However, this is more than just a partisan issue, but an issue of human rights that could reverse the privileges gained by many in the past decade.

While shocking that President Trump would appoint a woman to hold a supreme court position, Amy Coney Barrett embodies the extremities of Trump’s own values. Most significantly, she is part of President Trump’s scheme to overturn the landmark abortion decision of Roe v. Wade. Abortion has ALWAYS been a partisan issue in America and it will ALWAYS be - but how is it fair for the Constitution to allow a single president to take away the rights of women across the country? Overturning Roe v. Wade would leave no room for exceptions, even for young girls who are victims of rape and sexual assault. Furthermore, her views on abortion are rooted in her devotion to Catholicism, which raises the questions: is this truly a separation of church and state? Why should your religious values hold power over my body?

The next most controversial issue that Barrett sides with is she is a strong antagonist to the LGBTQ+ community. Under the Obama administration, the community gained a right that was unimaginable to many but seemed like simple human decency: the right to marry who you love. Considering Barrett's views on same-sex marriage, the landmark decision Obergefell v. Hodges may also be threatened. Appointing Barrett to the Supreme Court is quite literally a step back for not just the LGBTQ+ community, but every single minority in America today.

My goal is not to specifically attack President Trump’s conservative agenda, as in fact, I criticize the extreme polarization found in the United States today. However, regardless of conservative or liberal; democratic or republican, no president should be able to push things as far as Trump has taken them. The impact of his actions is against fundamental American values. If he truly wants to make the ‘constitutional’ decision, he will understand the lasting influence of his actions on American society, but most importantly, the lasting impact of minorities who will face even more discrimination upon the confirmation of Judge Barrett.

Full Disclosure presents our first anonymous submission! This piece is not reflective of the views and opinions of anyone on the Full Disclosure team. This author is not affiliated with anyone on the Full Disclosure team.