The Supreme Court says colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis for granting admission.
This landmark decision upends long-standing precedent that has benefitted Black and Latino students in higher education.
Republican presidential candidates were quick to praise the court’s ruling;
This is a great day for America.
People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our country, are finally being rewarded. This is the ruling everyone was waiting and hoping for and the result was amazing. It will also keep us competitive with the rest of the world.
Our greatest minds must be cherished and that’s what this wonderful day has brought. We’re going back to all merit-based—and that’s the way it should be!”
–Former President Donald Trump
The world admires America because we value freedom & opportunity.
SCOTUS re-affirmed those values today. Picking winners & losers based on race is fundamentally wrong. This decision will help every student —no matter their background— have a better opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
–Nikki Haley
This is a good day for America.
Honestly, this is the day where we understand that being judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin is what our constitution wants.
We are continuing to work on forming this more perfect union. Today is better than yesterday. This year better than last year. This decade better than last decade. The progress that we’re seeing in this nation is palpable.
That’s good news for every single corridor of this nation, and one that we should celebrate.”
–Sen. Tim Scott
There is no place for discrimination based on race in the United States, and I am pleased that the Supreme Court has put an end to this egregious violation of civil and constitutional rights in admissions processes, which only served to perpetuate racism.
I am honored to have played a role in appointing three of the Justices that ensured today’s welcomed decision, and as President I will continue to appoint judges who will strictly apply the law rather than twisting it to serve woke and progressive ends.”
–Former Vice President Mike Pence
College admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 29, 2023
The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities.
College admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity.
The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities.”
–Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
GOP Members of Congress have also sadly, but not unexpectedly, been reacting positively to the not-so-great great news,
Today’s rulings make clear that colleges may not continue discriminating against bright and ambitious students based on the color of their skin.”
–GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell
Academia’s ivory towers should not divide and promote preferences based on the color of one’s skin. In America, fairness is the key to educational opportunity, where one’s success is judged by merit rather than arbitrary quotas.”
GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx, who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce
And GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said today was a
great day for all Americans.”
This is a tremendous victory for those who have suffered from explicit racial discrimination.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 29, 2023
Treating any American differently because of their race is a direct violation of their 14th Amendment rights, and I'm proud to have led an amicus brief with @MichelleSteelCA fighting… https://t.co/oXfoLLbwTZ
President Biden criticized the ruling in a speech from The White House today and said the decision goes against US values,
I believe our colleges are stronger when they’re racially diverse. Our nation is stronger, but because we are tapping into the full range of talent in this nation.I also believe that while talent, creativity and hard work are everywhere across this country, not equal opportunity — it is not everywhere across this country.
We cannot let the decision be the last word.”
In the wake of SCOTUS's affirmative action ruling, President Biden calls on colleges and universities to "continue their commitment to support, retain and graduate diverse students."
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 29, 2023
"Companies…should not use this decision as an excuse to turn away from diversity either." pic.twitter.com/Hutb8UWFm5
