On Saturday, Sept. 26, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court.
According to NPR, the announcement took place before an audience of about 200 people in the White House Rose Garden.
The whitehouse.gov website provided the remarks made by the president and by Judge Barrett in the White House Rose Garden.
“Over the past week, our nation has mourned the loss of a true American legend,” said President Trump. “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a legal giant and a pioneer for women. Her extraordinary life and legacy will inspire Americans for generations to come.”
“Today, it is my honor to nominate one of our nation’s most brilliant and gifted legal minds to the Supreme Court,” continued President Trump. “She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution: Judge Amy Coney Barrett.”
President Trump then discussed Judge Barrett’s multiple accolades, including earning a full scholarship at the University of Notre Dame Law School, graduating first in her class, and serving as a clerk for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
“This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation,” said Trump. “It should be very easy. Good luck. (Laughter.) It’s going to be very quick. I’m sure it’ll be extremely non-controversial. We said that the last time, didn’t we?”
“I further urge all members of the other side of the aisle to provide Judge Barrett with the respectful and dignified hearing that she deserves and, frankly, that our country deserves,” President Trump continued. “I urge lawmakers and members of the media to refrain from personal or partisan attacks.”
Following his announcement, President Trump asked Judge Barrett to come to the stage and speak.
“I fully understand that this is a momentous decision for a President,” said Judge Barrett. “And if the Senate does me the honor of confirming me, I pledge to discharge the responsibilities of this job to the very best of my ability. I love the United States, and I love the United States Constitution . . . I am truly humbled by the prospect of serving on the Supreme Court.”
Judge Barrett also spoke to the potential of being the one to fill the notable liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat.
“Should I be confirmed, I will be mindful of who came before me,” said Judge Barrett. “The flag of the United States is still flying at half-staff in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to mark the end of a great American life. Justice Ginsburg began her career at a time when women were not welcome in the legal profession. But she not only broke glass ceilings, she smashed them.”
“If confirmed, I would not assume that role for the sake of those in my own circle, and certainly not for my own sake,” said Judge Barrett. “I would assume this role to serve you. I would discharge the judicial oath, which requires me to administer justice without respect to persons, do equal right to the poor and rich, and faithfully and impartially discharge my duties under the United States Constitution.”
According to the New York Times, Judge Barrett has established a conservative voting record on issues like abortion rights, gun control, discrimination and immigration. NPR states that Judge Barrett is also a conservative favorite for her position on the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare), and preferred among religious conservatives, as she is a devout Catholic.
The confirmation of Judge Barrett would lead to a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court. According to The New York Times, it is possible that Judge Barrett’s confirmation would put at risk the right to abortion that was established in the landmark 1973 case Roe v Wade.
However, Judge Barrett’s confirmation is not set in stone. According to The New York Times, though other Justices have been confirmed during election years, none have been voted on after July. There were only 38 days between President Trump’s nomination of Judge Barrett and the next presidential election on Nov. 3, and the days continue to dwindle.
Previous to the nomination, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell had already pledged to hold a confirmation vote before the election in November. This pledge came despite calls of hypocrisy, as in 2016, Sen. McConnell was able to block President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland 8 months prior to the presidential election.
According to NPR, the confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin on Oct. 12, and last four days.