The Daily Caller has reported that authorities ordered the area around the Supreme Court building to be evacuated while they examine a “suspicious package” that was discovered on the steps of the building. This notification came only hours after the Supreme Court delivered its monumental verdict in Student For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President And Fellows Of Harvard College which upended the academic practice of applying race-based admissions to its prospective student body. This opinion was carried out by the six conservative justices on the bench.
The US Capitol Police has notified the public about the evacuation order via Twitter with the statement that “We are assisting the Supreme Court Police with a suspicious package. Out of an abundance of caution, we are also helping keep the area clear. We cannot provide further information about another agency’s case, but we will keep the community updated about our involvement.”
We are assisting the Supreme Court Police with a suspicious package. Out of an abundance of caution, we are also helping keep the area clear. We cannot provide further information about another agency’s case, but we will keep the community updated about our involvement.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) June 29, 2023
They then announced the specific road closures in relation to their proclamation.
ROAD CLOSURES:
– Maryland Avenue between Constitution Avenue and First Street, NE
– First Street between Constitution Avenue, NE, and Independence Avenue, SE
– East Capitol Street between First and Second Streets— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) June 29, 2023
There is video evidence that such an evacuation order was carried out that was provided by R A W S A L E R T S. The description by the Twitter account reads “Evacuations Underway at Supreme Court’s Front Steps Following Discovery of Suspicious Package…Currently Multiple law enforcement are presently evacuating numerous individuals in response to a suspicious package discovered on the steps leading to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. This comes amid protests over the court’s decision that affirmative action in school is unconstitutional Police are actively investigating the situation while the ongoing evacuations are being carried out.”
🚨#BREAKING: Evacuations Underway at Supreme Court’s Front Steps Following Discovery of Suspicious Package
📌#Washington | #DC
Currently Multiple law enforcement are presently evacuating numerous individuals in response to a suspicious package discovered on the steps leading… pic.twitter.com/sIfNf7TQBK
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 29, 2023
In terms of the Supreme Court verdict itself, many pundits and politicians have weighed in on the matter. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) tweeted simply in agreement with the verdict that “Race-based discrimination is against the law.”
Race-based discrimination is against the law. https://t.co/HPNEsuERUJ
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 29, 2023
Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) wrote “Today, the Supreme Court correctly decided that affirmative action programs lead to race-based discrimination. Merit and content of character are what should matter when applying to college, not skin color.”
Today, the Supreme Court correctly decided that affirmative action programs lead to race-based discrimination.
Merit and content of character are what should matter when applying to college, not skin color.
— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) June 29, 2023
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) observed that there were “[p]owerful words from Justice Thomas today in a landmark case barring racial discrimination by colleges.”
Powerful words from Justice Thomas today in a landmark case barring racial discrimination by colleges pic.twitter.com/8By5ywTOC7
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 29, 2023
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) hailed the verdict by stating that it ended a “long and failed experiment with racial quotas and government-sanctioned racial discrimination.” Cruz had a special role in the case as he along with 80 other congressional Republicans signed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs back in May of last year.
Former President Trump heralded the verdict as “A GREAT DAY” in American history. Not everyone was pleased by the verdict, however. President Joe Biden called the court “not normal” and expressed his personal disappointment in the verdict. Senator Cruz responded to Biden’s attack by writing “This is pure nonsense. Joe Biden will take any opportunity to attack the Supreme Court to appease the radical leftists who want it and its justices utterly discredited.”
This is pure nonsense.
Joe Biden will take any opportunity to attack the Supreme Court to appease the radical leftists who want it and its justices utterly discredited. https://t.co/xEy2H1XjNE
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 29, 2023