Ruth Bader Ginsburg switched up her comments on the national anthem protests led by Colin Kaepernick. Ginsburg issued an apology Friday (Oct. 14) for calling the actions of Kaepernick and other athletes who have taken a knee during the anthem, “dumb and disrespectful.”
“Some of you have inquired about a book interview in which I was asked how I felt about Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who refused to stand for the national anthem,” the 83-year-old Supreme Court justice said a statement. “Barely aware of the incident or its purpose, my comments were inappropriately dismissive and harsh. I should have declined to respond.”
Keapernick clapped back at Gindburg’s initial critique on Tuesday (Oct. 11). “It is disappointing to hear a Supreme Court justice call a protest against injustices and oppression ‘stupid, dumb’ in reference to players doing that,” said the NFL player.
The is the second time Ginsburg has publicly apologized since July when she retracted criticism of Donald Trump’s presidential run.
“Judges should avoid commenting on a candidate for public office,” Ginsburg said of the Trump comments. “In the future, I will be more circumspect.”