Republican Sen. Mike Braun (Ind.) said he is open to the Supreme Court overturning Loving v. Virginia, the landmark 1967 decision that legalized interracial marriage.
Braun was asked about the ruling on a call with reporters after he explained he thought abortion rights decisions should be left up to the states. Mandating abortion access was “judicial activism”, according to Braun.
Asked if he applied the same reasoning to the Supreme Court’s decision in 1967 to ban interracial marriages, Braun said: “When it comes to issues, you can’t have it both ways. When you want that diversity to shine within our federal system, there are going to be rules and proceedings that are maybe going to be out of sync with what other states would do. It’s the beauty of the system and that’s where the differences among our 50 states in points of view ought to express themselves.”
Asked to clarify his position, Braun doubled down.
“I think that that’s something that if you’re not wanting the Supreme Court to weigh in on issues like that, you’re not going to be able to have your cake and eat it too. I think that’s hypocritical,” Braun said.
Mike Schmuhl, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, slammed Braun for his comments, according to the IndyStar.
“Mike Braun’s words and views are not only un-American, but beneath any respectable person wishing to hold public office,” Schmuhl said. “The United States Supreme Court has affirmed many times that marriage equality in our country extends to any committed couple regardless of sex, race, orientation, or religious affiliation, and to question that legitimacy questions the very fabric of America and its people.”
Braun later backtracked in a statement.
“Earlier during a virtual press conference I misunderstood a line of questioning that ended up being about interracial marriage,” Braun said. “Let me be clear on that issue — there is no question the Constitution prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, that is not something that is even up for debate, and I condemn racism in any form, at all levels and by any states, entities, or individuals.”
