In a landmark decision, the US Supreme Court on Thursday struck down several affirmative action programs at American universities, ruling that the programs are unconstitutional.
Affirmative action programs allow schools to use race as a consideration when accepting applicants, with the goal of ensuring a more diverse student body with a higher percentage of minority students.
The court found that the affirmative action programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina Thursday violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority decision: “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it," adding that "the Equal Protection Clause, we have accordingly held, applies ‘without regard to any differences of race, of color, or of nationality’—it is ‘universal in [its] application.’”
Addressing Harvard's affirmative action program, Roberts wrote that "Harvard's admissions process rests on the pernicious stereotype that 'a black student can usually bring something that a white person cannot offer."
The court ruled 6-3 against the University of North Carolina and 6-2 against Harvard. The case had been brought by the right-wing Students for Fair Admissions organization.
US President Joe Biden criticized the court's ruling, saying that he "strongly" disagreed with it.
"We cannot let this decision be the last word," Biden said, adding that he believes the current US Supreme Court is "broken" and "not a normal court."
Several Republican presidential candidates praised the court's decision.
Former President Donald Trump said that today is "a great day for America."
“People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our country, are finally being rewarded,” Trump said, adding, “We’re going back to all merit-based — and that’s the way it should be!”
Former Vice President Mike Pence said that affirmative action "only served to perpetuate racism.”
“I am honored to have played a role in appointing three of the justices that ensured today’s welcomed decision, and as president I will continue to appoint judges who will strictly apply the law rather than twisting it to serve woke and progressive ends,” Pence said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on Twitter that “college admissions should be based on merit and applicants should not be judged on their race or ethnicity,” adding that "the Supreme Court has correctly upheld the Constitution and ended discrimination by colleges and universities.”
Former South Carolina Governor and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that “picking winners and losers based on race is fundamentally wrong. This decision will help every student — no matter their background — have a better opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”