While still attacking empathy as a sin, the far-right among American conservatives — including some Christian leaders — has a new gripe to air: Women should not be allowed to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
William Wolfe, former aide to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, was among those criticizing the high court’s four female justices for dissenting against a slim majority ruling supporting President Donald Trump’s invocation of a 1798 law to rapidly deport alleged gang members to Venezuela and El Salvador without due process.
“Illegal alien criminals don’t need to be ‘mothered’ by the women on the Supreme Court,” tweeted Wolfe, now executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership. “They need to be deported immediately by men like Tom Homan.”
Wolfe shared a photo of the four female justices and labeled them “The Four Horsewomen of Suicidal Empathy.”
On one level, conservatives’ response to the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling — in favor of their position — resurfaced debates about empathy, which they view as a toxic, weak and feminine trait.
On another level, conservative critics aired their grievances that the court’s support for Trump could be challenged at all. Some in MAGA world called conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett “Amy Commie Barrett” for voting against Trump.
But on a third level, some are staking out a more strident position: Notice how the four justices who oppose Trump are all women. This, therefore, is evidence women shouldn’t serve on the court.
This comes as other Republicans — including Trump — are demanding Congress impeach federal judges who rule against Trump.
In March, Barrett — a devout Catholic — voted to reject Trump’s freeze on foreign aid.
Controversial Catholic priest James Altman, whom the pope has banned from celebrating Mass publicly, tweeted: “By now we all know ACB joined the three women on supreme court (baby butchering supporters) against deportation of illegal criminals. What special kind of morons are these women?!! What part of ‘illegal immigrants/criminals have no constitutional rights’ — unlike like tax paying citizens — do these morons not understand? All four of these women betrayed every taxpaying citizen.”
But it’s not just men who think women are too empathetic to serve on the Supreme Court.
Tricia Flanagan, a twice-failed Republican candidate for Congress from New Jersey, said it out loud: “Here’s the simple truth that no one wants to admit — most women are not emotionally fit to be on the Supreme Court.
“Here’s the simple truth that no one wants to admit — most women are not emotionally fit to be on the Supreme Court.”
She added: “Women tend to be more emotionally vulnerable. That means there’s an inherent contradiction when it comes to the stark, logical interpretation of the Constitution that the job of Supreme Court Justice requires. Some men fall into that category too, but when it comes to selecting a Conservative Justice, if a woman is nominated just don’t be surprised when her decisions end up squishy & emotionally tethered rather than staunch constructionist, despite claiming to be the latter.”
Across the social media platform X — now favored by political and theological conservatives — people posted their views against women on the court.
Someone with the handle EllieRN7371 said: “ACB has joined the lib women’s club of the Supreme Court. She, along with her BFF’s think with emotion, hormones and hatred of one man. She is not worthy to be a Supreme Court justice. NONE of those women are. This is why women shouldn’t have power. Sorry, not sorry.”
Young St. Luke tweeted: “Women being allowed on the Supreme Court was a mistake.”
Mia Smith, tweeting as ivaniseamor, said: “As a woman … I 100% agree! There are no more women on the Supreme Court. I even think it’s better to have fewer women in Congress because there’s too much emotion and not enough rational thinking. They need help understanding feelings vs. the law!”
A user with the handle catturd2 added: “As a woman I will say it. NO MORE WOMEN on Supreme Court.”
Another woman named Patty Free tweeted: “I’m starting to think women don’t belong on Supreme Court. They’re all awful. Would be great if 2 stepped down.”
Related articles:
Why empathy is under assault today | Opinion by Rodney Kennedy
Have you heard the one about empathy being a sin?
Here’s who’s behind the war on empathy | Analysis by Alan Bean