GOP Florida leaders respond to Supreme Court decision on affirmative action

WASHINGTON D.C. (FLV) – Republican politicians in Florida reacted after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action policies in the college admissions process in their Thursday decision.

The court reviewed two admissions cases from Harvard and the University of North Carolina, ultimately deciding that the policies violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution in a 6-2 and 6-3 vote, respectively.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his opinion on the ruling that race-based affirmative action is unconstitutional.

”And, it sees the universities’ admissions policies for what they are: rudderless, race-based preferences designed to ensure a particular racial mix in their entering classes,” he wrote.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor shared how she disagreed with the court’s decision in her written opinion.

“Today, this Court stands in the way and rolls back decades of precedent and momentous progress,” she stated.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Supreme Court made the right decision.

“College admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity,” the governor said.

“The Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities,” he continued.

Former President Donald Trump stated that he is glad that America is going back to a “merit-based” system for the college application process.

“People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our Country, are finally being rewarded,” he said. “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!”

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also expressed his enthusiasm for the ruling not long after the decision was made public.

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

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., complimented the court decision and Thomas for his written opinion on the ruling.

“Powerful and wise words from Justice Clarence Thomas. Today’s decision from the Supreme Court is the right one: students should be judged on their merits, not the color of their skin,” he said.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said that although there was once a time when affirmative action was needed for racial desegregation, those times are over. He believes that the college admission process must be a fully merit-based system

“Today’s ruling is a massive win against the left’s equity agenda that seeks to achieve ‘equality’ through equal outcomes, not equal access,” Donalds said.