Biden Dodges Packing SCOTUS Question, Previously Said Dems Would 'Live to Rue' Doing It

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has avoided discussing expanding the Supreme Court amid the Democrat-led backlash against President Donald Trump's push to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Following Ginsburg's death, Trump has outlined his desire to move swiftly to replace her despite there being just weeks until the election.

Biden previously said the vote should be held before a candidate is put forward, with the victor deciding who goes forward to fill the vacant seat.

With Democratic lawmakers pushing against Trump's desire, and the Senate GOP's willingness to facilitate it, the prospect of packing the court in future has been discussed.

This would see Democrats push to add extra justices to the court's current nine, likely of a more liberal persuasion to offset the conservatives placed by Trump.

Biden was asked about expanding the court, which could also be done in other ways than packing, in an interview with WBAY.

The former vice president was asked: "If Trump's supreme court pick goes through but you win the election, Democrats take over Senate and maintain the House, would you consider adding more supreme court justices to the bench?"

To this he replied: "It's a legitimate question, but let me tell you why I'm not going to answer that question. Because it will shift the focus, that's what he wants, he never wants to talk about the issue at hand and he always tries to change the subject."

He instead chose to focus upon Trump's stance on the matter, stating: "The discussion should be about why he is moving in a direction that's totally inconsistent with what the founders wanted."

While Biden would not comment on expanding the court, he has previously spoken against such moves.

"No, I'm not prepared to go on and try to pack the court, because we'll live to rue that day," he said when asked last year, Iowa Starting Line reported.

Newsweek has contacted the Biden campaign for comment.

While Democrats have criticized the president's move, Republicans have insisted Trump is justified in his actions.

"Numerous Democrats are threatening to pack the court and say things like 'nothing is off the table.' These are bizarre and dangerous power grabs by Democrats who will stop at nothing to erode the constitution to enact their radical agenda. President Trump will fulfill his constitutional duty to protect our God-given rights and do his part to fill the seat," Brian Morgenstern, White House deputy press secretary, said.

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Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks at an aluminum manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on September 21, 2020. He has said he does not want to discuss expanding the Supreme Court, amid... Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

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