The co-hosts on ABC’s “The View” took a swipe at Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, suggesting that his conservative views meant that he “didn’t really represent the black community.”
Whoopi Goldberg began the segment by cheering President Joe Biden’s promise to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court, filling the seat that would soon be vacated by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
“The senior liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will be officially announcing his retirement, and yesterday the White House reiterated Biden’s wish to nominate the first black female justice to fill the vacancy,” Goldberg began, noting that some had referred to Biden’s plan to limit his potential nominees by race and gender as “affirmative action.”
“In the 233 years that we have had 115 Supreme Court justices, 111 of them have been white, including three women who have been white. The first black person on the Supreme Court was 1967, Thurgood Marshall,” Goldberg continued, arguing that it was time for a black woman to sit on the Court.
“It’s not exactly overkill,” co-host Joy Behar agreed.
“Keeping his promise to the community is very important, and the other thing is, you know, it’s not like there’s a dearth of African American women that aren’t capable and really qualified for this job,” co-host Sunny Hostin added, noting that Biden was slipping in polls and a move like that could shore up some support especially among black women voters.
“Considering the uneven kind of court we have right now, it’s so important that this is happening in a time where we can get another liberal, and of course, the representation more than anything, you pointed out, first black woman. There’s only been two black men. Those numbers are a little shocking,” co-host Sara Haines weighed in then, and Hostin interrupted.
“One doesn’t really represent the black community,” she said, taking a veiled jab at Justice Thomas.
“Oh, Clarence,” Behar replied.
The panel went on to complain about the number of white men who had been elevated to the federal bench during former President Donald Trump’s tenure, arguing that President Biden had made a commitment to a more diverse slate of nominees and appeared to be following through on that promise.
The conversation turned toward praise for Breyer stepping down while Biden had time to nominate another liberal justice. “Isn’t it refreshing that someone like him would give up his lucrative and prestigious job for the country? How unusual it is that these days?” Behar asked.
As the segment wrapped, Behar turned on Justice Thomas again, adding, “Clarence Thomas, a black guy, a black man, a justice, okay, I’ll give it to him, he’s a smart guy, but he is to the right of Atilla the Hun, this guy, and they put him in there thinking, oh, a black man will go against voting rights which is what he does.”
“It’s terribly disrespectful to appoint someone like Clarence Thomas with his philosophies to the seat of Thurgood Marshall, a Civil Rights activist,” Hostin complained.
WATCH:
WILL BIDEN NOMINATE FIRST BLACK FEMALE JUSTICE? With Supreme Court Justice Breyer set to announce his retirement, #TheView reacts after the White House stood by Pres. Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to fill the vacancy. https://t.co/IwKfqPcizQ pic.twitter.com/08Efj8C2Vy
— The View (@TheView) January 27, 2022