In a recent episode of ABC's The View, the hosts clarified Grisham's remarks, which had involved fictional scenarios about targeting Supreme Court justices.

The co-hosts of 'The View' clarified that author John Grisham was discussing writing a sequel and was not considering harming SCOTUS judges, Fox News reported.

The episode on Wednesday saw John Grisham as one of the prominent guests. Grisham, famous for his gripping legal thrillers, took the opportunity to promote his latest novel, "Camino Ghosts." Audience members received an added treat as co-host Whoopi Goldberg announced her role as the reader for the Audible version of the book.

However, the atmosphere tensed briefly when Grisham referenced his earlier work, "The Pelican Brief," where two Supreme Court justices are fictional victims of assassination. He humorously speculated about writing a sequel with a similar theme, which immediately drew reactions from the co-hosts.

Quick Clarifications on Fictional Context

"I wrote a great book called 'The Pelican Brief' in which two Supreme Court Justices were assassinated, and I’ve thought about doing it again!"

Grisham said, triggering swift responses from the co-hosts. Joy Behar quickly interjected with a firm "No, no, no, no!" signifying her disapproval even of the fictional suggestion.

Seeing the potential for misinterpretation, Whoopi Goldberg, along with other hosts, emphasized, "Writing part two! He’s talking about writing part two!" This attempt to clarify that Grisham’s thoughts were confined to literature underscored their responsibility to dispel misconceptions about promoting violence.

Discussion on SCOTUS Turns Serious

Beyond his light-hearted fictional constructs, Grisham also voiced serious criticisms regarding the current state of the U.S. Supreme Court.

He expressed concern over recent rulings and ongoing ethical challenges, pinpointing the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision as a pivotal moment of decline.

Grisham lamented:

The court has never looked this bad. In my lifetime, some of the rulings, the ethical challenges, it went downhill in 2000 when five Republicans on the court chose to elect a president, it was political, Bush versus Gore, that’s when it all started going downhill.

Proposing Reforms for Federal Judges

Addressing potential solutions to these challenges, Grisham suggested imposing a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court justices and federal judges. “So I have no solution because you can’t get rid of them. The solution is, to make them all retire at the age of 75.

Every federal judge should have to retire at 75,” he proposed. This idea adds to ongoing debates about how best to manage the long-term composition and impartiality of the federal judiciary.

The segment featuring Grisham was not only about fictional possibilities but also broached significant topics regarding judicial reforms and the future trajectory of the U.S. Supreme Court. This dual focus brought both excitement and thoughtful discussion to the episode.

First Lady Echoes Concerns on Judiciary

The episode also featured First Lady Jill Biden, who shared her perspectives on the implications of future Supreme Court appointments.

Her concerns were particularly tied to the potential reelection of former President Trump and the consequential shifts in the court’s composition.

Jill Biden stated:

We cannot take things for granted and think of the Supreme Court for God’s sake. Talk about things getting worse? Can you imagine if we put any more Republicans on the Supreme Court? No! We will lose all of our rights!

Conclusion: Fiction, Criticism, and Reform Ideas Mingle

John Grisham's appearance on "The View" became a catalyst for a broader debate. While his fictional musings on a sequel to "The Pelican Brief" were clarified as not suggestive of actual violence, his criticisms and reform proposals for the U.S. Supreme Court ignited important conversations about the state and future of the American judiciary.

Contrasting perspectives from Grisham and First Lady Jill Biden painted a comprehensive picture of the ongoing discussions surrounding the Supreme Court, encapsulating themes of judicial integrity, reform, and the impact of political appointments.