GOP's Risky Move Over Supreme Court Pays Off

Trump could shape Court's direction for years to come
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 10, 2016 12:29 PM CST
GOP's Risky Move Over Supreme Court Pays Off
Donald Trump is expected to have a chance to give the court a conservative majority.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Mitch McConnell's controversial decision to put Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court on hold until the next president takes office is suddenly looking quite savvy, notes Politico. Conservative critics who were worried Hillary Clinton would win warned the move could backfire in allowing her to nominate someone to the left of the moderate Garland. Now, Donald Trump can nominate someone to the right. CNN recalls that Trump himself spoke of the issue in July: "If you really like Donald Trump, that's great, but if you don't, you have to vote for me anyway," he said. "You know why? Supreme Court judges! Supreme Court judges!" Given that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 83, Anthony Kennedy is 80, and Stephen Breyer is 78, it seems likely he'll get the chance.

An addition of two conservative justices could affect decisions on everything from abortion to campaign finance rules to gun restrictions. Trump released of a list of 11 potential names in May, then another 10 names in September after criticism that the first list was mostly white men. One name that has drawn particular media attention is that of William Pryor of Alabama, who has called Roe v. Wade "the worst abomination in the history of constitutional law." Politico notes that exit polls suggest the Supreme Court was a motivating factor among Trump voters. (More US Supreme Court stories.)

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