As expected, President Donald Trump has appointed Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett is currently a law professor a the University of Notre Dame and previously worked as a judicial clerk for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. If approved, Barrett would succeed the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away earlier this month.
“I looked and I studied and you are very eminently qualified for this job,” Trump said.
“If confirmed, I would not assume that role for the sake of those in my own circle, and certainly not for my own sake, I would assume this role to serve you,” Barrett added.
This appointment was met with staunch criticism on the opposite side of the aisle. Most notably, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris chastised the decision on Saturday.
“Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish was that she not be replaced until a new president is installed. Republicans are poised to not only ignore her wishes, but to replace her with someone who could tear down everything that she built. This reprehensible power grab is a cynical attack on the legitimacy of the Court,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
“That moment is now and their voice should be heard. The Senate should not act on this vacancy until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress,” Biden added.
Barrett is set to meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later this week. Her official hearing has been set for October 12, the same week as the second presidential debate.
