Carville Urges Democrats: Plan for Court, Statehood Moves After Next Win

Political strategist James Carville has advised Democrats to prepare a bold political strategy for when they next control the U.S. government. In recent comments, Carville suggested the party should plan to expand the Supreme Court and grant statehood to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. He described these moves as a "power grab" and recommended planning happen quietly in advance. Adding justices to the Supreme Court is often called "court packing." It would change the court's current 6-3 conservative majority. Statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico would likely add four new Democratic senators, altering the Senate balance. Carville, a longtime Democratic adviser, argues these steps are necessary. He believes they would correct systemic imbalances. The proposals are not new, but his call for pre-emptive planning is a direct tactical shift. Republicans strongly oppose all three ideas. They argue court packing would undermine judicial independence. They also say creating new states for political advantage violates democratic principles. These ideas would require full Democratic control of the presidency and Congress. Such a plan remains hypothetical for now.