Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative Justice on the United States Supreme Court, faces backlash from far-right factions after her recent decisions diverged from the expectations of some within the MAGA movement. Former President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to the court in October 2020. In spite of her very strong conservative bona fides, we’ve been overly hard on her.
Barrett’s appointment came shortly before the conclusion of Trump’s first term, and she became well-known for her vote to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, a landmark ruling that established the right to abortion in the United States. Her recent rulings have left many of her supporters wondering whether she is really the champion of their ideals. In particular, Barrett’s vote against a freeze on foreign aid as proposed by Trump in March received blistering condemnation. Yet, this decision triggered outrage from much of the MAGA crowd. They’ve accused her of being a “DEI hire,” implying that her hiring was a result of her commitment to diversity and inclusion—rather than credentials or experience.
The backlash against Barrett intensified after she sided with three liberal Justices in a critical ruling involving the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations. The court’s 5-4 ruling was a huge relief for civil rights, allowing the administration to ramp up deportations while requiring that detainees be given due process. This highly consequential ruling added an additional layer of distance between Barrett and the far-right base, resulting in an intense pushback against her judicial philosophy and decision-making.
In an unrelated case, Barrett dissented on a ruling against the enforcement of a 1798 law allowing the deportation of supposed gang members to Venezuela and El Salvador. This position cast her in conflict with the policies of the administration. Discontent has been simmering for a little while in MAGA-land. It became more dramatic when Barrett’s votes began to deviate from Trump’s preferred policy direction.
When prompted about the right wing dissent to Barrett, Trump responded that she’s a “very good woman” and “very smart.” His remarks are further evidence that he’s still in her corner as she rolls on, taking fire. The former President’s comments come amid rising tensions within his base, as some vocal elements express their disdain for Barrett’s decisions.
Online commentary reflects this frustration, with one social media user stating, “Please no more women on the Supreme Court!” – Catturd. This sentiment exemplifies the obstacles the right-wing movement has ahead of them. They are now attempting to reconcile their hopes for female Justices with their policy positions against those issues.
In a deeply unsettling continuation of this story, Barrett’s sister was even targeted by a bomb threat connected to a “free palestine” statement. Federal authorities later confirmed it was a false alarm. This incident highlights the increasing strain Barrett and her family are experiencing as a result of her controversial decisions.