Supreme Court’s strike against affirmative action in admissions prompts praise, warnings from Florida politicians

U.S. Supreme Court. Image via AP.

The Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions drew a swift round of reactions from Florida leaders.

Democrats saw the court’s decision that will kill admissions plans at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina as a setback that will hurt marginalized communities. Republicans, however, lauded it as a move toward how admissions should be: based on individual merit, not identity.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, representing the Miami area, was among the first of the Florida delegation out with a complete statement, calling it an act of the “hyper-conservative Supreme Court” that is rolling back history and putting decades of progress in jeopardy.

“For some reason, every time people of color take a step forward, this nation finds a way to make them take three steps back,” the Miami-area Democrat said, noting that the chance for underrepresented minorities to study at the country’s best institutions have brought new faces to leadership positions, on up to the President. “The Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action is unconscionable, out of touch and a significant setback. America is the land of opportunity. It’s antithetical to our values.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis, running for President and a Harvard graduate, saw the decision as an end to “discrimination” by colleges and universities.

“College admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity,” his account tweeted. “The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution.”

Former President Donald Trump issued a statement favoring the 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!”

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott tweeted The Associated Press story along with his take.

“The Supreme Court ruled on the right side today — students should be judged on their merit and qualifications.”

But Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel framed the ruling as a return to the “dark ages.”

“Today’s #SCOTUS ruling is a huge blow to a decades-old program that has helped close the achievement gap for women & people of color in America,” the West Palm Beach Democrat wrote on Twitter. “By striking down #AffirmativeAction, we’re going back to the dark ages, leaving marginalized communities behind.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz wished they’d gone further.

“I’m extremely disappointed military academies have been exempted,” the former Green Beret wrote. “These institutions should be MERIT-BASED to ensure we get the best and brightest officers.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin praised the ruling.

“This Supreme Court ruling on college admissions is an important step to restore true Equal Protection under the 14th Amendment. Racial discrimination should play no part in the college admissions process.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, one of few Black Republicans in Congress, saw the ruling as a sign of progress.

“Today’s ruling is a massive win against the left’s equity agenda that seeks to achieve ‘equality’ through equal outcomes, not equal access. There was clearly a time when affirmative action was needed to end racial discrimination, but that time is over. The High Court rightly ended this policy. Merit and achievement must be the No.1 attribute we all desire.”

But Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the first Haitian American in Congress, criticized the ruling.

“SCOTUS has just delivered a crushing and unnecessary setback to economic mobility for communities of color. I’m deeply disappointed by this ruling and concerned about its inequitable ramifications on students nationwide.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Afro-Cuban lawmaker, slammed the ruling in an extended statement.

“Today is a very sad day in our country, one that will have historically negative repercussions for Black, brown, Hispanic, and Indigenous people. After generations of slavery, oppression, and systematic inequality and injustice, affirmative action seeks equity in a country and in educational institutions that deeply need it. If education is truly meant to be the equal opportunity provider of our nation, then access to education should in fact be granted through the lens of equity.

“I believe affirmative action has everything to do with giving those who are often repressed a fair shot at life. Affirmative action is not about stifling opportunity for any one person. It’s about evaluating admissions with the history of our nation in mind. I am deeply disappointed with the Court’s decision, but I am also not surprised as this is the same court that just one year ago overturned bodily autonomy with the Dobbs ruling. Make no mistake, we will continue to fight. I believe that at the end of the day, we will be victorious in ensuring racial justice for all people in our nation.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast praised the decision.

“Today, the Supreme Court made it clear: the color of one’s skin doesn’t dictate character or merits. This ruling is a win for students across the country who deserve equal chances in academia.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz sees far-reaching implications from the ruling.

“The Supreme Court has dealt a Critical Blow to Critical Theory: affirmative action has been ruled unconstitutional. Artificial diversity and race-based college admission regimes have been usurped; meritocracy is once again king. Equal protection under the law is one of our most sacred principles. Today, we have returned to this principle. The equal protection clause now applies to all Americans – not solely those of a preferred group. A nation is measured not by its commitment to fanciful ideals but by its commitment to its people. The Supreme Court has delivered the American people a great victory; now let us enforce it.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster also cheered the majority opinion.

“The promise of America is rooted in freedom, opportunity, and equality. The Supreme Court’s decision reaffirms these promises to all Americans and rejects race-based discrimination.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Latina member of Congress, agreed.

“Data based arguments always win. Accept people based on merit. Not race.”

Republican state Sen. Nick DiCeglie also praised the decision.

“Glad the U.S. Supreme Court finally found race-based discrimination in college admissions as unconstitutional. This decision is a positive step forward and gives hope for a more fair and just future for all.”

But Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones questioned if it was tackling the right issues to eliminate racism from college admissions.

“So, if race is no longer a factor, let’s remove the question or ‘check box’ from college admission applications. Then we can REALLY see if students are being admitted based off of their “merits”.

Jones’ full statement said the Supreme Court would have people believe that hard work is all that is needed to get that proverbial seat at the table.

“Yet again, the Supreme Court has shown it is an illegitimate, partisan body dead-set on making society’s inequities even worse,” the Miami-area Democrat’s written statement said.

Sen. Rosalind Osgood, representing Broward County, also decried the decision, saying the Supreme Court is negating the benefits that affirmative action brings to the entire community.

“In the words of Marvin Gaye, ‘What’s going on?'” the Democrat’s statement read. “The Supreme Court continues to make partisan decisions … We value and appreciate our collective experiences. We cannot deny facts. There is no level playing field. Hard-working, qualified minorities are often not given opportunities. For decades, affirmative action has given access to opportunity for students across the country.”

Democratic Rep. Daryl Campbell, who represents central Broward County, lamented that black and brown students will be the chief victims in this decision and how discrimination will be allowed to thrive under the cover of “race-blindness,” he said.

But he urged these students to solider on: “Both in and out of the classroom, celebrate and embrace your diversity, no matter what the circumstances.”