President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court retention vote, stirring up a storm right before voters head to the polls.
90.5 WESA reported that with a critical retention vote looming for three Democratic justices—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—Trump took to social media to urge a resounding “no,” while Governor Josh Shapiro and even former President Barack Obama pushed back hard in defense of the court’s liberal-leaning majority.
This retention vote, happening for justices elected back in 2015, will decide if these three Democrats stay on Pennsylvania’s seven-member Supreme Court with a simple majority “yes” from voters.
It’s not just a local matter—national eyes are on this, with millions poured into the campaign. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the court’s direction.
Late Sunday evening, Trump fired off a pointed social media post, calling for Pennsylvanians to reject the justices. He didn’t hold back, accusing them of everything from meddling in the 2020 election to redrawing Congressional maps in ways he claims hurt conservatives. It’s classic Trump—straight to the jugular, no filter.
Specifically, Trump blasted the justices for upholding pandemic-era restrictions under former Governor Tom Wolf, which shuttered small businesses, schools, and churches.
He also pointed to their decision to toss out a Republican-favored Congressional map, replacing it with one that created a more even split in delegation. For many on the right, these moves still sting as overreach.
Trump’s post wasn’t even in his signature all-caps—unlike a rant about the NFL’s kickoff rule just minutes before, where he bellowed it “TAKES THE PAGEANTRY AND GLAMOUR AWAY FROM THE GAME.” Guess the justices didn’t warrant the full shout, but the message was loud enough. GOP allies quickly amplified his call, eager to rally the base.
Not one to sit idly by, Governor Josh Shapiro shot back with a defense of the judiciary and a sharp jab at Trump’s track record. He reminded everyone of Trump’s efforts to contest Pennsylvania’s 2020 election results and his pardons for those tied to the January 6 Capitol unrest. Shapiro’s not playing softball here—he’s swinging for the fences.
“Donald Trump has zero credibility when it comes to the rule of law,” Shapiro declared, painting him as the last person to lecture on judicial integrity.
For conservatives, this might feel like a cheap shot, but Shapiro’s clearly banking on voter frustration with past election drama. He urged a “yes” vote to uphold an independent judiciary.
Shapiro’s stance isn’t just rhetoric—he’s framing this as a battle for the rule of law itself. For many on the right, though, an “independent judiciary” often seems code for a court that leans left on key issues. It’s a divide that’s hard to bridge in today’s polarized climate.
Trump’s grievances aren’t pulled from thin air—specific rulings by these justices have long irked conservatives. Take their support for COVID lockdowns, which many small business owners still see as a government boot on their necks. Then there’s the Congressional map redraw, which shifted power away from GOP strongholds.
Another sore spot is the court’s decision to overturn Bill Cosby’s conviction, with Justice David Wecht penning the opinion, citing constitutional protections from a prior immunity deal.
Wecht defended this by arguing the constitution applies to everyone, even those society deems undesirable. It’s a principled stand, but for many, it’s a bitter pill when high-profile cases end in perceived leniency.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump accused the justices of repeatedly siding with Joe Biden and meddling in the 2020 election process.
While these claims resonate with a base still skeptical of that election’s integrity, they’re also the kind of broad strokes that critics argue lack nuance. Still, they pack a punch with voters who feel the system’s rigged.
On the flip side, former President Barack Obama threw his weight behind the justices, posting a call to vote “yes” to protect fundamental rights.
For conservatives, this is just another sign of the progressive establishment circling the wagons. Obama’s endorsement, while predictable, adds a heavyweight voice to the retention push.
