While the nation mourns the tragic death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump is already moving to advance his agenda and nominate a new justice “without delay,” Trump tweeted on Saturday morning.
After a battle with pancreatic cancer, Justice Ginsburg died on Friday at the age of 87 years old. Appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 1993, Ginsberg was the second female justice to serve on the court, dedicating her career to the fight for gender equality.
But while the nation is on pause, grieving the death of one of the most prominent social justice warriors, Trump is ready to move quickly and is expected to nominate his choice for Ginsburg’s replacement as soon as the middle of next week, according to two people familiar with the plans. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is on board with Trump’s plan. McConnell has vowed to hold a vote for Trump’s nominee.
Back in 2016, however, McConnell blocked President Barack Obama‘s attempt to appoint Judge Merrick Garland to the court, following the death of Antonin Scalia. McConnell argued that the Senate Republicans would not consider a new nomination during an election year. But now we are just 45 days out from the 2020 election, and McConnell is in a hurry to appoint a replacement.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden stands with the left, arguing that voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice for Senate consideration, honoring the dying wish of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
