White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki refused to answer whether President Joe Biden was considering nominating Vice President Kamala Harris to be on the Supreme Court in the wake of an expected retirement announcement from Justice Stephen Breyer.
“I know there is a lot of news out there today. So, let me reiterate something that you heard the president say, and I also said, over Twitter, it’s always been the decision of any Supreme Court Justice if and when they decide to retire, how they want to announce it,” Psaki said. “And that remains the case today. So, we’re not going to have additional details, you are always welcome to ask any questions you like, at any time, and there’s a lot of news out there. But I just wanted to say that at the top.”
When asked if Biden planned to “honor his pledge to nominate a black woman to the court,” Psaki responded, “Well, I’ve commented on this previously, the president has stated and reiterated his commitment to nominating a black woman to the Supreme Court and certainly stands by that.”
Asked if Pres. Biden will honor his pledge to nominate a Black woman to Supreme Court following reports of Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement, White House press sec. Jen Psaki says he “certainly stands by that.” https://t.co/NyK4wgtmSQ pic.twitter.com/yOYmuCgZsu
— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2022
Another reporter asked Psaki if the White House was engaged in any preparations in the case of a Supreme Court vacancy, and Psaki refused to answer.
“Unrelated to this, you can’t detail what, doesn’t every White House like to get ahead of this in case of a sudden passing in the case of Ruth Bader Ginsburg?” the reporter asked. “None of that you can share?”
“I’m not going to detail internal planning from here, no,” Psaki responded.
“Is there any scenario in which the president would select his Vice President Kamala Harris for the Supreme Court?” the reporter pressed.
“Again, I’m not going to speak to any considerations, preparations, lists,” Psaki answered. “And as we’ve stated earlier, and you heard the president say, it is, there’s a long history of Supreme Court justices determining when they may retire, if they retire, and announcing that, and we’re going to — that remains the case today.”
#BREAKING: Jen Psaki is asked if Vice President Kamala Harris would be considered for the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/hWW8cJv8SL
— Forbes (@Forbes) January 26, 2022
Another reporter later pressed Psaki about whether the administration was considering Harris for the vacancy.
“When you were asked about the vice president possibly being selected as a Supreme Court nominee, you said you’re not going to speak to any considerations,” the reporter said. “Does that mean she is being considered?”
“Again, Peter, I’m not going to speak to the reports of a Supreme Court justice retirement that hasn’t been announced,” Psaki responded.
“Just wondering, hypothetically, theoretically, would someone who was an attorney general of a large state and who served with many key Senate votes, be an attractive candidate to the president for an open Supreme Court seat?” the reporter asked.
“I see what you did there, Peter, but the president has every intention, as he said before, of running for re-election and for running for re-election with Vice President Harris on the ticket as his partner,” Psaki said. “But again, I will just reiterate that I have nothing more to offer in terms of specifics or information on the reports this morning.”
Peter Doocy grills Psaki on whether Kamala is being considered as a Supreme Court nominee:
"The President has every intention … of running for re-election, and for running for re-election with Vice President Harris on the ticket as his partner." pic.twitter.com/ogljcLiJ01
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 26, 2022