President Donald J. Trump gestures with a fist pump Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony for newly sworn-in U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
Fox News reports that President Trump may be holding the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as a ready replacement should the seat of Ruth Bader Ginsburg become vacant. Ginsburg’s recent health problems, which forced her to miss time on the bench, have made many wonder if she can continue to keep up the rigorous schedule and demands of a Supreme Court Justice. The nomination and confirmation of Coney Barrett would add another conservative seat to the Supreme Court, and would shape the direction of the court for years to come. Fox News reports:
Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative stalwart, is rumored to be President Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court should Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat become available, according to an Axios report that cited close confidants of the president.
Barrett, 46, was considered to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy last year, but the president said he was “saving her for Ginsburg,” the report said.
Trump reportedly told people “I’m saving her for Ginsburg” as recently as two days before he nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, according to Axios. The report could not be independently verified by Fox News, but Barrett has been mentioned as a favorite by Trump in the past.
Trump advisers were concerned that Barrett, who staunchly opposes abortion, would alienate GOP moderates like Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the report said. They were also confident that Republicans would maintain their control of the Senate and nominating another conservative judge to the Supreme Court wouldn’t be necessary at the time, the report said.
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