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| Donald Trump picks Neil Gorsuch as his supreme court nomination - as it happened | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 4.58am GMT | 4.58am GMT |
| 04:58 | 04:58 |
| Closing summary | Closing summary |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| President Donald Trump has announced Judge Neil Gorsuch – a staunch conservative – as his nominee for the vacant ninth seat on the supreme court bench. | President Donald Trump has announced Judge Neil Gorsuch – a staunch conservative – as his nominee for the vacant ninth seat on the supreme court bench. |
| Calling Gorsuch “a man who our country really needs, and needs badly, to ensure the rule of law” in the spirit of the late Antonin Scalia, whose seat he would take if confirmed, Trump said his pick would enjoy “tremendous bipartisan support”. | Calling Gorsuch “a man who our country really needs, and needs badly, to ensure the rule of law” in the spirit of the late Antonin Scalia, whose seat he would take if confirmed, Trump said his pick would enjoy “tremendous bipartisan support”. |
| An “honored and humbled” Gorsuch said judges should strive for “impartiality and independence, collegiality and courage”, adding: | An “honored and humbled” Gorsuch said judges should strive for “impartiality and independence, collegiality and courage”, adding: |
| A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge. | A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge. |
| Republicans rushed to praise the nomination, with Speaker Paul Ryan calling it a “phenomenal” choice, and vice-president Mike Pence labelling Gorsuch: | Republicans rushed to praise the nomination, with Speaker Paul Ryan calling it a “phenomenal” choice, and vice-president Mike Pence labelling Gorsuch: |
| one of the most mainstream, respected, and exceptionally qualified supreme court nominees in American history. | one of the most mainstream, respected, and exceptionally qualified supreme court nominees in American history. |
| Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said Trump had made an “outstanding decision”, warning: | Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said Trump had made an “outstanding decision”, warning: |
| I hope members of the Senate will … show him fair consideration and respect the result of the recent election with an up-or-down vote on his nomination. | I hope members of the Senate will … show him fair consideration and respect the result of the recent election with an up-or-down vote on his nomination. |
| But in a sign that the Senate could be heading for a filibuster, some Democrats – many of whom were keen to jog memories of the Republican block on Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland – said they would not support Gorsuch. | But in a sign that the Senate could be heading for a filibuster, some Democrats – many of whom were keen to jog memories of the Republican block on Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland – said they would not support Gorsuch. |
| Senator Elizabeth Warren said the judge’s rulings against workers and “hostility” towards women’s access to healthcare meant she would not vote for him. Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, called the nomination “a very bad decision”. | Senator Elizabeth Warren said the judge’s rulings against workers and “hostility” towards women’s access to healthcare meant she would not vote for him. Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, called the nomination “a very bad decision”. |
| Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the Senate, said Gorsuch must reach the 60-vote “super-majority” – “a bar that was met by each of President Obama’s nominees” – in a Senate where Republicans hold 52 seats to the Democrats’ 48: | Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the Senate, said Gorsuch must reach the 60-vote “super-majority” – “a bar that was met by each of President Obama’s nominees” – in a Senate where Republicans hold 52 seats to the Democrats’ 48: |
| The burden is on Judge Neil Gorsuch to prove himself to be within the legal mainstream … Given his record, I have very serious doubts about Judge Gorsuch’s ability to meet this standard. | The burden is on Judge Neil Gorsuch to prove himself to be within the legal mainstream … Given his record, I have very serious doubts about Judge Gorsuch’s ability to meet this standard. |
| Read more | Read more |
| Full story: Neil Gorsuch nominated by Donald Trump to fill supreme court vacancy | Full story: Neil Gorsuch nominated by Donald Trump to fill supreme court vacancy |
| Opinion: Why Democrats should hold the line and filibuster against Neil Gorsuch | Opinion: Why Democrats should hold the line and filibuster against Neil Gorsuch |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.57am GMT | at 6.57am GMT |
| 4.36am GMT | 4.36am GMT |
| 04:36 | 04:36 |
| [Edit: this post originally included a tweet reportedly featuring Gorsuch in a Columbia yearbook; it has been removed so we can check its veracity.] | [Edit: this post originally included a tweet reportedly featuring Gorsuch in a Columbia yearbook; it has been removed so we can check its veracity.] |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.01am GMT | at 7.01am GMT |
| 4.22am GMT | 4.22am GMT |
| 04:22 | 04:22 |
| Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Obama, is not the only person to be querying why Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr – who now, according to their father, have “complete and total control” of his businesses, in a much-criticised attempt to answer questions over conflicts of interest – were present at the White House for the Scotus announcement today: | Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Obama, is not the only person to be querying why Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr – who now, according to their father, have “complete and total control” of his businesses, in a much-criticised attempt to answer questions over conflicts of interest – were present at the White House for the Scotus announcement today: |
| How did the Trump boys climb over the impenetrable firewall set up between Trump's government and his businesses? https://t.co/LuZVb8ga0m | How did the Trump boys climb over the impenetrable firewall set up between Trump's government and his businesses? https://t.co/LuZVb8ga0m |
| 4.08am GMT | 4.08am GMT |
| 04:08 | 04:08 |
| Google says these were the most frequently searched questions about the new Scotus nominee in the two hours after his name was announced by Trump. | Google says these were the most frequently searched questions about the new Scotus nominee in the two hours after his name was announced by Trump. |
| The age question is interesting: he’s 49, the youngest nominee in 25 years. | The age question is interesting: he’s 49, the youngest nominee in 25 years. |
| And on the last point, should any reader be considering a job switch: it’s US$244,000 (£194,000) a year. | And on the last point, should any reader be considering a job switch: it’s US$244,000 (£194,000) a year. |
| "What religion is #NeilGorsuch?" Top questions on @realDonaldTrump's #SupremeCourt nominee tonight pic.twitter.com/jBRWlKvpn1 | "What religion is #NeilGorsuch?" Top questions on @realDonaldTrump's #SupremeCourt nominee tonight pic.twitter.com/jBRWlKvpn1 |
| 3.59am GMT | 3.59am GMT |
| 03:59 | 03:59 |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| Gorsuch, like late Justice Scalia, describes himself as a strict textualist in his interpretation of the constitution. | Gorsuch, like late Justice Scalia, describes himself as a strict textualist in his interpretation of the constitution. |
| His biggest difference with Scalia comes in the field of administrative law, an area that is sleepy for most lay people but determines the scope of much government action. | His biggest difference with Scalia comes in the field of administrative law, an area that is sleepy for most lay people but determines the scope of much government action. |
| The Trump nominee has been a critic of “Chevron deference”, a doctrine that gives administrative agencies significant latitude with how they interpret federal statutes. His views, which are shared by a number of conservative legal scholars, would significantly weaken the federal government and allow the courts to override agency actions on issues ranging from immigration to healthcare to the environment. | The Trump nominee has been a critic of “Chevron deference”, a doctrine that gives administrative agencies significant latitude with how they interpret federal statutes. His views, which are shared by a number of conservative legal scholars, would significantly weaken the federal government and allow the courts to override agency actions on issues ranging from immigration to healthcare to the environment. |
| 3.52am GMT | 3.52am GMT |
| 03:52 | 03:52 |
| Associated Press reports that the White House is “planning a major outreach effort” to secure Gorsuch’s confirmation to the supreme court: | Associated Press reports that the White House is “planning a major outreach effort” to secure Gorsuch’s confirmation to the supreme court: |
| Press secretary Sean Spicer says the White House is planning a series of briefings with House and Senate staff about Trump’s pick. | Press secretary Sean Spicer says the White House is planning a series of briefings with House and Senate staff about Trump’s pick. |
| Gorsuch is expected to travel on Wednesday to Capitol Hill to begin meetings with lawmakers, including Senate judiciary committee members. | Gorsuch is expected to travel on Wednesday to Capitol Hill to begin meetings with lawmakers, including Senate judiciary committee members. |
| Spicer says the White House is “going to work really, really hard” to get Trump’s pick confirmed. | Spicer says the White House is “going to work really, really hard” to get Trump’s pick confirmed. |
| And here are some of those judiciary committee members preparing themselves: | And here are some of those judiciary committee members preparing themselves: |
| My fellow members of the Judiciary Committee and I are ready to get to work to get Judge Gorsuch confirmed. pic.twitter.com/MnHZWYouSA | My fellow members of the Judiciary Committee and I are ready to get to work to get Judge Gorsuch confirmed. pic.twitter.com/MnHZWYouSA |
| 3.46am GMT | 3.46am GMT |
| 03:46 | 03:46 |
| Obligatory Trump tweet: | Obligatory Trump tweet: |
| Hope you like my nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the United States Supreme Court. He is a good and brilliant man, respected by all. | Hope you like my nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the United States Supreme Court. He is a good and brilliant man, respected by all. |
| 3.40am GMT | 3.40am GMT |
| 03:40 | 03:40 |
| Should Democrats filibuster against Gorsuch? | Should Democrats filibuster against Gorsuch? |
| Lucia Graves | Lucia Graves |
| The addition of Gorsuch is unlikely to tip the balance of the court, the logic goes, given that he looks to be an almost perfect ideological replacement for the late conservative stalwart Scalia. But the notion that Democrats should hold their fire in case Trump has the opportunity to fill another, more pivotal, seat down the road is naive given recent history. | The addition of Gorsuch is unlikely to tip the balance of the court, the logic goes, given that he looks to be an almost perfect ideological replacement for the late conservative stalwart Scalia. But the notion that Democrats should hold their fire in case Trump has the opportunity to fill another, more pivotal, seat down the road is naive given recent history. |
| It’s not an inconceivable or even unlikely scenario that Trump will have such an opportunity. But Democrats would be fools to stand down now in hopes that Republicans, admiring their magnanimity and bipartisan spirit would somehow reward them at some unspecified future date. | It’s not an inconceivable or even unlikely scenario that Trump will have such an opportunity. But Democrats would be fools to stand down now in hopes that Republicans, admiring their magnanimity and bipartisan spirit would somehow reward them at some unspecified future date. |
| Caving to Trump’s interests without a fight would take a wind out of the sails of the nascent resistance movement rocking our country. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned under Obama’s tenure and over the course of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, it’s that, at least in this political climate, playing nice and hoping you’ll be rewarded down the road is a fool’s errand. | Caving to Trump’s interests without a fight would take a wind out of the sails of the nascent resistance movement rocking our country. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned under Obama’s tenure and over the course of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, it’s that, at least in this political climate, playing nice and hoping you’ll be rewarded down the road is a fool’s errand. |
| 3.33am GMT | 3.33am GMT |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| Here’s where fivethirtyeight puts Gorsuch on the liberal/conservative scale of the supreme court bench (you’ll find him to the right): | Here’s where fivethirtyeight puts Gorsuch on the liberal/conservative scale of the supreme court bench (you’ll find him to the right): |
| trump nominates neil gorsuch to the supreme court: https://t.co/xovHOjrqG3 pic.twitter.com/BuDJvwRGOn | trump nominates neil gorsuch to the supreme court: https://t.co/xovHOjrqG3 pic.twitter.com/BuDJvwRGOn |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.35am GMT | at 3.35am GMT |
| 3.14am GMT | 3.14am GMT |
| 03:14 | 03:14 |
| Speaker Paul Ryan, I think, takes the prize for most effusive response to Gorsuch’s nomination, calling him a “phenomenal” pick: | Speaker Paul Ryan, I think, takes the prize for most effusive response to Gorsuch’s nomination, calling him a “phenomenal” pick: |
| President Trump has fulfilled his pledge to nominate a judge who has a demonstrated loyalty to the constitution and a strong commitment to life. He is a phenomenal nominee for the supreme court. | President Trump has fulfilled his pledge to nominate a judge who has a demonstrated loyalty to the constitution and a strong commitment to life. He is a phenomenal nominee for the supreme court. |
| His belief in judicial restraint will serve the court – and the country – very well. I also commend his career-long fight to uphold the constitutional right of religious liberty. | His belief in judicial restraint will serve the court – and the country – very well. I also commend his career-long fight to uphold the constitutional right of religious liberty. |
| I am confident my colleagues in the Senate will confirm Judge Gorsuch. | I am confident my colleagues in the Senate will confirm Judge Gorsuch. |
| 3.05am GMT | 3.05am GMT |
| 03:05 | 03:05 |
| Courtesy of the New York Times, here’s new Scotus nominee Neil Gorsuch on the “gross mistreatment” of judicial confirmations by the Senate: | Courtesy of the New York Times, here’s new Scotus nominee Neil Gorsuch on the “gross mistreatment” of judicial confirmations by the Senate: |
| In a 2002 article … Mr. Gorsuch criticized the Senate’s handling of judicial confirmations. “Some of the most impressive judicial nominees are grossly mistreated,” he said, mentioning two candidates for the federal appeals court in Washington who he said were “widely considered to be among the finest lawyers of their generation”. | In a 2002 article … Mr. Gorsuch criticized the Senate’s handling of judicial confirmations. “Some of the most impressive judicial nominees are grossly mistreated,” he said, mentioning two candidates for the federal appeals court in Washington who he said were “widely considered to be among the finest lawyers of their generation”. |
| One was John G Roberts Jr, who went on to become chief justice of the United States. The other was Judge Merrick B Garland, who was confirmed to the appeals court in 1997 after a long delay, but whose nomination to the supreme court last year was blocked by Senate Republicans. | One was John G Roberts Jr, who went on to become chief justice of the United States. The other was Judge Merrick B Garland, who was confirmed to the appeals court in 1997 after a long delay, but whose nomination to the supreme court last year was blocked by Senate Republicans. |
| 2.54am GMT | 2.54am GMT |
| 02:54 | 02:54 |
| Senator Tim Kaine – Hillary Clinton’s would-be VP pick – is biding his time on a yes or no for Gorsuch: | Senator Tim Kaine – Hillary Clinton’s would-be VP pick – is biding his time on a yes or no for Gorsuch: |
| The importance of an appointment to the highest court in the land and the duty of upholding and defending our constitution demand a higher threshold for confirmation than for any other appointee. | The importance of an appointment to the highest court in the land and the duty of upholding and defending our constitution demand a higher threshold for confirmation than for any other appointee. |
| The actions of the Trump administration over the past week raise the stakes to an even higher level. | The actions of the Trump administration over the past week raise the stakes to an even higher level. |
| In considering Judge Gorsuch’s nomination and observing his confirmation hearing, I intend to carefully scrutinize his temperament and record, particularly on civil rights and other constitutional guarantees. | In considering Judge Gorsuch’s nomination and observing his confirmation hearing, I intend to carefully scrutinize his temperament and record, particularly on civil rights and other constitutional guarantees. |
| 2.40am GMT | 2.40am GMT |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
| A short walk from the White House, protesters gathered on the steps of the supreme court to demand that Democratic senators block the appointment of Gorsuch. | A short walk from the White House, protesters gathered on the steps of the supreme court to demand that Democratic senators block the appointment of Gorsuch. |
| A coalition of liberal groups had planned the rally in advance of Trump’s announcement to spotlight the opposition to appointing a nominee who is conservative and who Trump said would repeal Roe v Wade, a decision legalizing abortion in the US. | A coalition of liberal groups had planned the rally in advance of Trump’s announcement to spotlight the opposition to appointing a nominee who is conservative and who Trump said would repeal Roe v Wade, a decision legalizing abortion in the US. |
| At the protest, Eleanor Smeal, head of the Feminist Majority, said Gorsuch was “the worst nightmare” for women and minorities who have worked to advance civil and equal rights, and called the justice’s adherence to originalism an “abomination” that would take the country back hundreds of years: | At the protest, Eleanor Smeal, head of the Feminist Majority, said Gorsuch was “the worst nightmare” for women and minorities who have worked to advance civil and equal rights, and called the justice’s adherence to originalism an “abomination” that would take the country back hundreds of years: |
| We will not go back. We’ve worked too hard … | We will not go back. We’ve worked too hard … |
| There is no way we’re returning to a 1789 interpretation of the constitution. | There is no way we’re returning to a 1789 interpretation of the constitution. |