I’ve been thinking a lot about this court situation, and my thoughts are still evolving but here’s where I am. Thread 1/

Let me start by saying I do NOT like the idea of expanding the court size. But I think we’re beyond that. DT and McConnell (during this term and during Obama) did their own court packing. They held scotus to 8 justice for 14 months, and deprived a president of his nominee. 2/

And not just Garland—McConnell unjustifiably held up Obama appointees for years—and has used the last 4 to pack the courts with remarkably partisan, and sometimes blatantly unqualified, right-wing noms. 3/

So court packing has already been happening. What we need is judicial reform. I think expanding the number of scotus justices can—and should—be avoided by adhering to the new “rule” McConnell et al used to stop the Garland appointment—wait until after the election and 4/

Let the new president make the appointment. That would avoid the inevitable reforms that will have to follow if the senate flips. But if they insist on pushing a nom through, adding to the court numbers must be on the table 5/

That’s because McConnell et al have completely changed the rules—there is no norm, no fairness, no comity, no bipartisanship. We have lived through 4 years of blatant judicial power grabbing (& his worse). And they have gotten away w it bc Dems have been willing to let them. 6/

It’s time to stop pretending GOP senate cares about any “norms” or democratic principles. They will abuse their power as much and for as long as they can. And they will do so bc historically they know Dems worry about fairness and norms—and Dems are the only ones abiding them 7/

So unless scotus nom is held, there has to be a promise—not a threat—that 1) two new seats. If we do that, I think 2) term limits need to be on table too. 16 years? Something befitting the institution, but avoiding this entrenched power from an undemocratically elected prez 8/

Which brings me to #3- we have to start seriously talking about the electoral college. It’s anti-democratic, and we’re watching in real time how it’s being used to manipulate the election. The worst voter suppression will be in swing states. That’s where DT will fight to keep 9/

Ballots from being counted if he thinks he can declare victory in Election Day. And I think electoral college needs to be on the table no matter what happen re scotus nomination 10/

I do not, at all, like the idea of expanding the court. But we’ve lived through, and are currently watching, an unprecedented power grab and ongoing court packing. And they are doing it to maintain power with the belief that Dems are too “principled” to fight back. 11/

But with the last 8 years, I’ve come to believe that reform IS principled, it IS democratic, and it IS in the service of the citizenry and the integrity of the courts. 12/

I’m sure my views will keep evolving, maybe even change, but we absolutely must stop playing by rules that GOP jettisoned so long ago. I don’t want lying and dirty tricks to get our way (that’s Lindsey and Cruz et al). I want reforms aimed at honoring the will of the people 13/

(w significant majority currently supporting no nom until after the election, as well as roe/Casey and Obergefell, etc), and the integrity of democratic institutions that GOP has so dramatically manipulated these last 4 years 14/

Oh, and more thing, investigation & prosecution of DT and enablers after he’s out. Not for political misdeeds, but for the massive yet mundane crimes he and his lackeys have committed. We need to right this ship, fix this corruption. And he absolutely must be held accountable.15/

That’s where I am. Bc these astonishing circumstances in which we find ourselves are the result of a blatant power grab by a party that has always counted on political opponents to let it slide. No more. The country is suffering too much. 16/

And there’s too much at stake, beyond just this election. It’s time to protect the country. /end

(PS don’t even get me started on Barr.)