Liberals, Don't Fight Trump's SCOTUS Pick

Neil Gorsuch will bring 'fairness,' 'decency': 'NYT'
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 1, 2017 11:37 AM CST
Liberals, Don't Fight Trump's SCOTUS Pick
Judge Neil Gorsuch speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Let the Supreme Court justice vetting begin—and may liberals let nominee Neil Gorsuch sail onto the bench. That's Neal Katyal's "give him a chance" opinion for the New York Times, in which he admits he's struggled to find a single thing President Trump "has done right" since he took office less than two weeks ago. He also acknowledges the predicament of voting on Gorsuch after Republicans famously obstructed President Obama's pick, Merrick Garland. But Gorsuch should still be at "the top of the list," writes Katyal, himself a former solicitor general for Obama, noting that the Colorado judge has a temperament suited to the esteemed role and that he'll bring "fairness" and "decency" to his duties on the bench.

Katyal laments there isn't going to be a Democrat-chosen justice, especially with the stakes so high on the environment, reproductive rights, and other critical issues. But since that's not happening, Katyal has one burning question: "Is the nominee someone who will stand up for the rule of law and say no to a president or Congress that strays beyond the Constitution and laws?" Katyal believes Gorsuch is just such a candidate, someone whose record reflects "deep conviction" when it comes to upholding the law through judiciary powers. Katyal says Gorsuch will "live up to that promise" of keeping to the Supreme Court oath, "no matter how chaotic our politics become." Katyal's full column is here. (A "prophetic" video of Sen. Jeff Sessions asking a similar question to Trump's just-fired acting attorney general.)

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