The relationship between Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the MAGA world has taken a sharp turn since her appointment to the nation’s highest court by President Donald Trump in 2020. Initially, Barrett was hailed as a conservative judicial stalwart, nominated to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Trump expressed his full confidence in her, stating that she would make decisions based solely on a “fair reading of the law.” However, in the years since, Barrett’s rulings have disappointed Trump’s loyal base, as she has repeatedly sided with the court’s liberal justices, drawing criticism from prominent right-wing figures and MAGA supporters.
Most recently, Barrett sided with the majority of justices to reject Trump’s emergency request to block $2 billion in foreign aid payments. The decision, which occurred in a 5-4 ruling, saw Barrett align with Chief Justice John Roberts and the more liberal members of the Court, while conservative justices like Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. This marked the latest in a series of decisions where Barrett has angered MAGA loyalists, who had once seen her as a reliable conservative voice on the Court.
Conservative commentators have been vocal in their discontent with Barrett’s judicial record. Laura Loomer, a conspiracy theorist and far-right influencer, labeled Barrett a “DEI appointee” in reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion, while former Fox News host Megyn Kelly criticized her for being “squishy” and not adhering firmly to conservative principles.
“Get somebody with some rhetorical balls who will hold as fiercely to conservative principles in the judiciary as the left wing does,” Kelly added.
Other voices from the MAGA sphere have labeled her “weak,” with lawyer Mike Davis going so far as to accuse her of being “scared of her own shadow” and a “rattled law professor.” Conservative radio host Mark Levin also expressed his disappointment, stating that “Barrett deceived people into thinking she was a reliable constitutionalist. The power has gone to her head. It happens with frightening regularity the last half century.”
Barrett’s rulings have made her a crucial swing vote on many contentious issues. She was a key figure in the conservative majority that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2023, to the relief of many on the right. Additionally, she sided with conservatives last year on presidential immunity. However, the recent decision against Trump and the foreign aid payments has intensified scrutiny of past decisions, signaling deepening frustration among those who once saw her as an ally.
The Daily Mail reports:
In January, Barrett was among the same five-justice majority that ruled against Trump’s request to halt him being sentenced on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records just days before his inauguration.
Her independence on the bench continues to raise important questions about the role of personal judgment in judicial decision-making, especially when it comes to issues that deeply divide the nation.
READ NEXT: Supreme Court Rules: Trump Admin Must Pay $2 Billion For USAID Contracts
Trump’s base has not just turned on Amy Coney Barrett. They turned on her a long time ago. They are now just fed up with her. She is no conservative. She does not support President Trump and what he is trying to do. John Roberts was suppose to be a conservative also. That lasted about eight hours after he became a Justice. Either these two — Roberts and Barrett — are getting paid off to turn on the conservative movement or they were Conservatives in Name Only when appointed to the bench. Most of the people I know feel that John Roberts was paid off handsomely to become a turncoat. OR he has been back mailed for what ever reason.
Really gotta wonder where those heads are. Very plainly the executives bailiwick. Basic civics.