Trump Nominates Judge
Amy Coney Barrett
The White House
September 26, 2020
Remarks by President Trump Announcing His Nominee for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Rose Garden
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. I stand before you today to fulfill one of my highest and most important duties under the United States Constitution: the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice. (Applause.) This is my third such nomination after Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh. And it is a very proud moment indeed.
Over the past week, our nation has mourned the loss of a true American legend. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a legal giant and a pioneer for women. Her extraordinary life and legacy will inspire Americans for generations to come.
Now we gather in the Rose Garden to continue our never-ending task of ensuring equal justice and preserving the impartial rule of law.
Today, it is my honor to nominate one of our nation’s most brilliant and gifted legal minds to the Supreme Court. She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials, and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution: Judge Amy Coney Barrett. (Applause.)
We’re also joined by Amy’s husband, Jesse — thank you, Jesse, very much — and their seven beautiful children. Congratulations to you all. A very special day.
With us as well are the First Lady — thank you, First Lady — (applause) — along with Vice President Mike Pence and his amazing wife, Karen. Thank you very much, Mike. (Applause.)
Judge Barrett is a graduate of Rhodes College and the University of Notre Dame Law School. At Notre Dame, she earned a full academic scholarship, served as the Executive Editor of the Law Review, graduated first in her class, and received the law school’s award for the best record of scholarship and achievement.
Upon graduation, she became a clerk for Judge Laurence Silberman on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Amy then received one of the highest honors a young lawyer could have, serving as a clerk on the Supreme Court for Justice Antonin Scalia. A highly — (applause) — a very highly respected law professor at Notre Dame wrote to Justice Scalia with a one-sentence recommendation: “Amy Coney is the best student I ever had.” That’s pretty good. (Laughter.) Justice Scalia hired her shortly thereafter.
And we are honored to have his wonderful wife, Maureen — where is Maureen? Maureen Scalia — with us today. (Applause.) Thank you. And our great Secretary of Labor, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. (Applause.) Very good genes in that family, I will say. Very good genes.
Before joining the bench, Judge Barrett spent 15 years as a Professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School. She was renowned for her scholarship, celebrated by her colleagues, and beloved by her students. Three times, she was selected at Notre Dame, Distinguished Professor of the Year.
When I nominated Judge Barrett to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2017, every law clerk from her time at the Supreme Court endorsed her and endorsed her nomination, writing, quote, “We are Democrats, Republicans, and independents…yet we write to support the nomination of Professor Barrett to be a Circuit Judge…Professor Barrett is a woman of remarkable intellect and character. She is eminently qualified for the job.”
And I can tell you, I did that too. I looked and I studied, and you are very eminently qualified for this job. You are going to be fantastic. Thank you. (Applause.) Really fantastic.
The entire Notre Dame Law facility and faculty, everybody — everybody at that school also — we got so many letters — also wrote letters of support of Amy’s nomination to the Seventh Circuit. They wrote, in effect: “Despite our differences, we unanimously agree that our constitutional system depends upon an independent judiciary staffed by talented people devoted to the fair and impartial administration of the rule of law. And we unanimously agree that Amy is such a person.”
For the last three years, Judge Barrett has served with immense distinction on the federal bench. Amy is more than a stellar scholar and judge; she is also a profoundly devoted mother. Her family is a core part of who Amy is. She opened her home and her heart, and adopted two beautiful children from Haiti. Her incredible bond with her youngest child, a son with Down Syndrome, is a true inspiration.
If confirmed, Justice Barrett will make history as the first mother of school-aged children ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s good. (Applause.)
To her children Emma, Vivian, Tess, John Peter, Liam, Juliet, and Benjamin, thank you for sharing your incredible mom with our country. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Amy Coney Barrett will decide cases based on the text of the Constitution as written. As Amy has said, “Being a judge takes courage. You are not there to decide cases as you may prefer. You are there to do your duty and to follow the law wherever it may take you.” That is exactly what Judge Barrett will do on the U.S. Supreme Court.
I want to thank the members of the Senate. We have so many of them here today. Thank you very much. I see you in the audience, and you’re so proud. But I want to thank you for your commitment and to providing a fair and timely hearing. I know it will be that.
Judge Barrett was confirmed to the Circuit Court three years ago by a bipartisan vote. Her qualifications are unsurpassed — unsurpassed — and her record is beyond reproach. This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation. It should be very easy. Good luck. (Laughter.) It’s going to be very quick. I’m sure it’ll be extremely non-controversial. We said that the last time, didn’t we? Well, thank you all very much, and thank you for being here. That’s really great. Thank you. (Applause.)
I further urge all members of the other side of the aisle to provide Judge Barrett with the respectful and dignified hearing that she deserves and, frankly, that our country deserves. I urge lawmakers and members of the media to refrain from personal or partisan attacks.
And the stakes for our country are incredibly high. Rulings that the Supreme Court will issue in the coming years will decide the survival of our Second Amendment, our religious liberty, our public safety, and so much more.
To maintain security, liberty, and prosperity, we must preserve our priceless heritage of a nation of laws, and there is no one better to do that than Amy Coney Barrett.
Law and order is the foundation of the American system of justice. No matter the issue, no matter the case before her, I am supremely confident that Judge Barrett will issue rulings based solely upon a fair reading of the law. She will defend the sacred principle of equal justice for citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed.
Congratulations again to Judge Barrett. I know that you will make our country very, very proud.
Please, Amy, say a few words. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Congratulations. (Applause.)
JUDGE BARRETT: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I am deeply honored by the confidence that you have placed in me. And I am so grateful to you and the First Lady, to the Vice President and the Second Lady, and to so many others here for your kindness on this rather overwhelming occasion.
I fully understand that this is a momentous decision for a President. And if the Senate does me the honor of confirming me, I pledge to discharge the responsibilities of this job to the very best of my ability. I love the United States, and I love the United States Constitution. I am truly — (applause) — I am truly humbled by the prospect of serving on the Supreme Court.
Should I be confirmed, I will be mindful of who came before me. The flag of the United States is still flying at half-staff in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to mark the end of a great American life. Justice Ginsburg began her career at a time when women were not welcome in the legal profession. But she not only broke glass ceilings, she smashed them. For that, she has won the admiration of women across the country and, indeed, all over the world. (Applause.)
She was a woman of enormous talent and consequence, and her life of public service serves as an example to us all. Particularly poignant to me was her long and deep friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, my own mentor.
Justices Scalia and Ginsburg disagreed fiercely in print without rancor in person. Their ability to maintain a warm and rich friendship, despite their differences, even inspired an opera. These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments, even about matters of great consequence, need not destroy affection. In both my personal and professional relationships, I strive to meet that standard.
I was lucky enough to clerk for Justice Scalia, and given his incalculable influence on my life, I am very moved to have members of the Scalia family here today, including his dear wife, Maureen.
I clerked for Justice Scalia more than 20 years ago, but the lessons I learned still resonate. His judicial philosophy is mine too: A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold. The President has asked me to become the ninth justice, and as it happens, I’m used to being in a group of nine: my family. (Laughter.)
Our family includes me, my husband Jesse, Emma, Vivian, Tess, John Peter, Liam, Juliet, and Benjamin. Vivian and John Peter, as the President said, were born in Haiti and they came to us, five years apart, when they were very young. And the most revealing fact about Benjamin, our youngest, is that his brothers and sisters unreservedly identify him as their favorite sibling.
Our children obviously make our life very full. While I am a judge, I’m better known back home as a room parent, carpool driver, and birthday party planner. When schools went remote last spring, I tried on another hat. Jesse and I became co-principals of the Barrett e-learning academy. (Laughter.) And, yes, the list of enrolled students was a very long one.
Our children are my greatest joy, even though they deprive me of any reasonable amount of sleep. I couldn’t manage this very full life without the unwavering support of my husband, Jesse. At the start of our marriage, I imagined that we would run our household as partners. As it has turned out, Jesse does far more than his share of the work. To my chagrin, I learned at dinner recently that my children consider him to be the better cook. (Laughter.)
For 21 years, Jesse has asked me, every single morning, what he can do for me that day. And though I almost always say “nothing,” he still finds ways to take things off my plate. And that’s not because he has a lot of free time — he has a busy law practice — it’s because he is a superb and generous husband, and I am very fortunate.
Jesse and I — (applause) — Jesse and I have a life full of relationships, not only with our children, but with siblings, friends, and fearless babysitters, one of whom is with us today. I am particularly grateful to my parents, Mike and Linda Coney. I spent the bulk of — I have spent the bulk of my adulthood as a Midwesterner, but I grew up in their New Orleans home. And as my brother and sisters can also attest, Mom and Dad’s generosity extends not only to us, but to more people than any of us could count. They are an inspiration.
It is important at a moment like this to acknowledge family and friends. But this evening, I also want to acknowledge you, my fellow Americans. The President has nominated me to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and that institution belongs to all of us.
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. I would discharge the judicial oath, which requires me to administer justice without respect to persons, do equal right to the poor and rich, and faithfully and impartially discharge my duties under the United States Constitution.
I have no illusions that the road ahead of me will be easy, either for the short term or the long haul. I never imagined that I would find myself in this position. But now that I am, I assure you that I will meet the challenge with both humility and courage.
Members of the United States Senate, I look forward to working with you during the confirmation process, and I will do my very best to demonstrate that I am worthy of your support. Thank you. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Come on up, family. Come on up, family. I want to acknowledge Attorney General Bill Barr. Bill, thank you very much for being here. Chief of Staff — thank you very much, Chief. You’re doing a great job. And all of the senators — please, we really appreciate it. And I know you’re going to have a busy couple of weeks, but I think it’s going to be easier than you might think.
So, thank you very much for being here. Thank you all. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Congratulations, Amy. (Applause.)
END 5:24 P.M. EDT
SUPPORT
| OPPOSE
Republican National Committee
RNC Statement on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Nomination to the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court:"In selecting Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump has picked an exceptionally qualified constitutionalist to serve as our nation’s next Supreme Court justice. Judge Barrett’s stellar career and character shows she is someone who recognizes the proper role of a Supreme Court justice is to interpret the Constitution as written, not to legislate from the bench.
"Not long ago Democrats said that Americans deserve a fully-staffed Supreme Court of nine justices. President Trump has done his constitutional duty by naming a nominee, and now it’s time for Democrats to make good on their words by joining Senate Republicans and committing to holding a fair Senate confirmation process."
_________________________
RNC Launches $10M Campaign to Confirm
Judge Barrett & Hold Democrats
Accountable
• The RNC is launching a $10 million digital ad campaign using the historic Supreme Court nomination to encourage voters in target states to return their ballots or get to the polls.
• These digital ads will underscore our continuous efforts to chase outstanding absentee ballots, inform voters about Early Voting locations, and make sure voters head to the polls on Election Day, while also highlighting Democrat hypocrisy as they attempt to smear and distort the President's nominee.
• The RNC also launched a new website, ConfirmBarrett.com, which directs visitors to call, email or tweet their Senator to urge him or her to vote to confirm Judge Barrett.
On-the-ground events
• In addition to the website and digital ads, the RNC is taking the fight directly to voters to ensure we win the fight outside the beltway.
• Trump Victory, the joint field effort between the RNC and the Trump Campaign, is holding events and protests and has already planned dozens of events to engage with volunteers in crucial states throughout the confirmation process.
• Supreme Court-focused messaging will be incorporated into Trump Victory’s volunteer scripts for phone calls and door-knocking, and Supreme Court-focused MAGA Meet-ups (community events designed to recruit volunteers and energize voters) will be a main focus in the field.
Daily War Room, Rapid Response
• The RNC has a massive operation that already has experience fighting on behalf of major confirmation battles the past few years. These teams will serve to provide immediate pushback on Democrat obstruction tactics and hypocrisy, research pieces highlighting Judge Barrett’s qualifications and Democrat hypocrisy, a robust media booking operation, and videos highlighting Democrats’ flip-flopping on the Supreme Court nomination process.
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
Trump campaign statements on the President’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for the U.S. Supreme Court
“President Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a brilliant choice as she is one of the most respected Constitutional jurists in the country. Her collegiate and professional pedigree make her perfectly suited for the Supreme Court, having graduated magna cum laude from Rhodes College, first in her class at Notre Dame Law School, and having clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia. Judge Barrett is an outstanding mother, person, and judge and I'm certain she will excel as a Supreme Court Justice.”- Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
“Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a strong, vetted Constitutional textualist, who previously received bipartisan support in the Senate, and will bring honor to the Supreme Court. She will be an independent voice on the Court to protect Americans’ fundamental rights, including religious freedoms and Second Amendment rights. Judge Barrett is an excellent selection by President Trump and should be confirmed by the Senate in short order. The Senate must confirm her to restore the Court to its full complement of nine Justices to hear and decide cases of importance sure to come in the near future.”
- Justin Clark, Trump 2020 deputy campaign manager
“Amy Coney Barrett is exactly the type of jurist the founders envisioned when creating Article III and the judicial branch. She has a strong record of faithfully interpreting and applying the Constitution and the law as written, not writing law and policy from the bench. The Democrats dangerously believe the Supreme Court should be a tool for political activism and be used to push through their radical leftist agenda - and that's why they are now talking about packing the court. President Trump promised to put Constitutionalists on the bench and he's kept that promise.”
- Jenna Ellis, Trump 2020 legal advisor
“Judge Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court, just as she was to the 7th Circuit three years ago. Given Judge Barrett’s experience as a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, a law professor at Notre Dame for many years, and a sitting judge with a strong record on numerous important issues that all may view and consider, her legal credentials are impeccable. But even more — her humanity as a mother of seven who adopted two children from abroad, and as a woman of faith, gives us comfort that a Justice Barrett will rule on our nation’s most important cases from a place of integrity and the wisdom of years of experience. Many thanks to President Trump for nominating a third highly qualified jurist who respects the rule of law and its place in our republic.”
- Harmeet K. Dhillon, Co-Chair, Lawyers for Trump
What They Are Saying: Judge Amy Coney Barrett
A “brilliant
scholar,” “outstanding jurist,” and
“woman of great integrity” whose
“credentials are impeccable”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is an exceptionally impressive jurist and an exceedingly well-qualified nominee to the Supreme Court. A brilliant scholar. An exemplary Judge. President Trump could not have made a better decision.”
Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD): “Judge Barrett deeply respects the Constitution, and she is committed to interpreting the law as written and applying it faithfully and impartially. While I look forward to meeting Judge Barrett and learning more about her experience, her resume speaks for itself…”
Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL): “Judge Barrett is an excellent choice and will make a great Supreme Court Justice. I will enthusiastically support her confirmation, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in moving her nomination expeditiously.”
Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ): “Judge Barrett is a highly qualified jurist, a devoted mom, and a woman of integrity and faith.”
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is one of the finest legal minds of her generation and has now proven to be a wise judge as well. I congratulate Judge Barrett on her nomination and I commend President Trump for another outstanding choice.”
Senator John Boozman (R-AR): “She's well qualified for the job given her extensive legal and academic experience. Like the president's previous nominees, she understands her Constitutional role.”
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL): “She is a brilliant legal mind who understands the proper and distinct roles of the three branches of government.”
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL): “Judge Barrett is a well-qualified, highly respected nominee, and that’s why the Senate previously confirmed her … I believe Judge Barrett would make an excellent Supreme Court justice, and I look forward to once again supporting her nomination in the U.S. Senate.”
Senator David Perdue (R-GA): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding choice to serve on our nation’s highest court. Throughout her impressive legal career, Judge Barrett has been an ardent defender of the Constitution and steadfast supporter of the rule of law. Having clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, Judge Barrett understands the importance of protecting our nation’s founding principles.”
Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA): “I'm proud to support #AmyConeyBarrett as @realDonaldTrump’s nominee for #SCOTUS. I'm confident she will protect individual liberties like the right to life & the 2nd Amendment by ensuring the Constitution & our laws are applied as written.”
Senator Todd Young (R-IN): “I am thrilled with @POTUS’s nomination of fellow Hoosier, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to serve on the Supreme Court. I've come to know her as an incredibly sharp legal mind, a woman of great integrity, and a dedicated mother of seven.”
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN): “Amy Coney Barrett’s sterling record as a Constitutional originalist proves she'll be a phenomenal Supreme Court Justice. I believe her reputation as an educator & model for decency will make Americans proud to have her on the court for years to come.”
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a well-qualified nominee, having served as a clerk for Justice Scalia and distinguishing herself as a law professor at Notre Dame before receiving bipartisan support during her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.”
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY): “I believe she will make an excellent justice that will serve our country and Constitution well, and I look forward to seeing her confirmed soon.”
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a Louisiana native and superb legal mind, is an excellent choice by @realDonaldTrump to serve on #SCOTUS.”
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett, in both her judicial record and philosophy, has made clear her commitment to interpreting and upholding the law and the Constitution as they are written. I was proud to support her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and look forward to supporting her confirmation to the Supreme Court.”
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS): “Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding judge and an even better person. I commend President Trump on another exceptional pick for the high court”
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS): “In Judge Barrett, I believe President Trump has chosen a qualified conservative jurist who, if confirmed, will bring an important perspective to the Court.”
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT): “Judge Barrett will defend our Montana way of life from those that want to take away our 2nd Amendment rights and destroy our jobs. Nearly three years ago I voted to confirm Judge Barrett to the Seventh Circuit Court, and I now look forward to casting my vote to confirm Judge Barrett to the United States Supreme Court.”
Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE): “I am encouraged that @realDonaldTrump has announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to serve as the next Justice on the Supreme Court. As a young mother on the 7th circuit court with a history clerking for Justice Scalia, she is a brilliant choice.”
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC): “President Trump has made a solid choice in nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Judge Barrett is a highly accomplished and respected candidate.”
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett seems made for this moment. She’s a brilliant legal scholar who’s come face-to-face with the appalling attacks of the far-left and won.”
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND): “Judge Barrett has an outstanding record of accomplishment as well as a strong record of upholding the law, rather than legislating from the bench.”
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH): “Judge Barrett has an impressive background and is highly regarded for her work as a judge and as a constitutional law professor at Notre Dame.”
Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK): “@realDonaldTrump made the right choice by choosing Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court. Throughout her career, Judge Barrett has shown her commitment to upholding the Constitution. he has a long record of upholding the right to life, respecting religious liberty and respecting judicial restraint. I look forward to receiving her nomination in the Senate and confirming her in a swift manner.”
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC): “From her time as a clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, to her work as an esteemed law professor and judge, Amy Coney Barrett has proven she would be a fantastic pick for the Supreme Court. I am confident she will work to uphold the Constitution, defend our nation’s founding principles and be a valuable addition to our nation’s highest court.”
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD): “President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court. As an accomplished jurist, wife and mother from the Midwest, Judge Barrett brings a unique perspective to our nation’s highest court.”
Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT): “Amy Coney Barrett is a highly-respected jurist with distinguished legal and academic credentials.”
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): “President Trump has selected another outstanding Supreme Court candidate by nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Judge Barrett has had a distinguished career as a law professor, law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, and federal appellate judge. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rule of law and to carefully considering the text and history of the Constitution.”
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI): “Less than three years ago, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed on a bipartisan basis as a judge on the Federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. I was pleased to vote for her then, and I expect to support her confirmation as a justice on the Supreme Court.”
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY): “This is a historic choice by @realDonaldTrump. Judge Barrett is a highly qualified nominee. She will apply the law, not legislate from the bench.”
Judiciary Committee
Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “Judge Barrett is highly qualified in all the areas that matter – character, integrity, intellect, and judicial disposition. She is outstanding #SupremeCourt nominee”
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA): “She is roundly revered in legal circles for her well-reasoned and deliberate decisions, as well as for her commitment to applying the law as written, regardless of outcome. She is eminently qualified.”
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA): “Judge Barrett is an experienced jurist, a working mom of seven, an accomplished legal scholar, and a fellow Midwesterner.”
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA): “President Trump has nominated an impressive jurist in Judge Barrett, who has real-world experience in the classroom and in the courtroom.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO): “@realDonaldTrump has chosen a nominee in #AmyConeyBarrett who religious conservatives can call one of their own”
Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE): “Judge Barrett is a brilliant legal thinker and will be an excellent Supreme Court Justice … She believes her duty isn’t to arbitrarily slop applesauce on stone tablets and declare new laws – her duty is to cloak her personal views under a black robe and to faithfully uphold the Constitution. That makes her a problem to rabid partisans, and an ally to the rule of law.”
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC): “Judge Barrett is an incredible, well-qualified judge who interprets the Constitution as written and she will protect the rights of all Americans.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): “Judge Barrett is an outstanding jurist and a committed constitutionalist. She is an excellent nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court and I look forward to hearing her testimony before @senjudiciary.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX): “Judge Barrett is well-qualified to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Having confirmed her to the circuit court in 2017 with bipartisan support, the Senate has already undertaken a thorough and rigorous review of her record.”
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a legal trailblazer with a deep respect for the law and our nation’s founding principles. Throughout her impressive career, Judge Barrett has maintained the importance of an independent judiciary that interprets the law and Constitution as-written, and operates free from political pressure.”
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT): “Judge Barrett is going to be a fantastic Supreme Court justice. I think she’ll be a textualist and an originalist, She’ll be devoted to the principle of constitutionally limited government. That’s what President Trump promised his voters. It is what I promised my voters. And we are going to keep our promise to the voters who elected us.”
OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS
House Of Representatives
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA): “President Trump just knocked it out of the park with his Supreme Court nominee. There is no question that Amy Coney Barrett is the best-qualified person to uphold the Constitution. The Senate should confirm her quickly.”
Ranking Member Of The House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH): “President Trump makes another great pick! Amy Coney Barrett is a beyond excellent choice for the United States Supreme Court. She’ll fight for life, liberty, and the rule of law. The way the Founders originally intended. I look forward to her swift confirmation in the Senate.”
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY): “President @realDonaldTrump made a superb decision to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court. She is deeply respected as an extraordinary legal mind dedicated to the Constitution. She will make history as the first working mother to serve on the Court.”
Governors
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a remarkable individual who will make an outstanding Supreme Court Justice. Her proven legal brilliance is matched by her exceptional character and unflinching commitment to the U.S. constitution.”
Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD): “Liberals and their media allies always attack strong women who defend the Constitution. So I hope South Dakotans will join me in praying for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and her family. A woman of incredible integrity and commitment to due process and equal protection for all Americans, Judge Amy Coney Barrett is the perfect woman for this vacant seat.”
Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH): “Judge Amy Coney Barrett … is both highly qualified and highly respected. In addition to her distinguished judicial career, Judge Coney Barrett is a mother of seven, a constitutional scholar, and an esteemed law professor. Her prior writings and judicial opinions show she’ll interpret the law fairly and impartially.”
LEGAL COMMUNITY
Law Professors
Harvard Law School Professor Noah Feldman: “Barrett is highly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. … I know her to be a brilliant and conscientious lawyer who will analyze and decide cases in good faith, applying the jurisprudential principles to which she is committed. Those are the basic criteria for being a good justice. Barrett meets and exceeds them.”
University Of Notre Dame Law Professor Nicole Garnett: “She is brilliant, to be sure, but also humble generous, loving, kind. She accepts each new challenge with grace and gives all that she has to give (and sometimes it seems more) to all that she is called to do. She will bring all those qualities to the Supreme Court, and our nation will be blessed by her years of service as Justice Barrett.”
Former Obama-Biden Solicitor General And Georgetown University Law Center Professor Neal Katyal: “She’s a qualified nominee”
George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley: “As expected, the nominee is Judge Amy Coney Barrett. More than any nomination in history, this is a celebration of conservative feminists. It comes close to the day of the confirmation of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. While they reached very different conclusions on constitutional interpretations, Justice Ginsburg and Judge Barrett have striking similarities. Both graduated at the top of their law school classes. Both went into teaching at leading law schools. Both joined the bench with deeply rooted views of the law and its role in society. Both also publicly discussed the importance of their faith to their careers and their convictions.”
University Of California, Berkley Law Professor John Yoo: “Barrett should win the support of anyone who wants judges of intelligence, experience, and character.”
Legal Community
American Center For Law And Justice: “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is an excellent nominee to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, with a proven track record of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Former Law Clerk To Amy Coney Barrett John Adams: “Judge Barrett’s commitment to the law is rivaled only by her commitment to her family.”
Constitutional Lawyers David Rivkin and Andrew Grossman: “Her scholarly and judicial writings place her at the center of the mainstream consensus on the judge’s role as an arbiter, not a lawmaker, who abides by the duty to enforce the law as written … Judge Barrett’s body of work shows her to be independent, discerning, diligent and fair.”
Scholars
Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Fellow Thomas Jipping: “For cases to be decided as much as possible by the law rather than by the judge, there must be a real understanding of the need for such impartiality, a self-conscious conviction to achieve it as much as possible, and the actual use of tools that help make it real. Judge Barrett is that kind of judge.”
Heritage Foundation's John Malcolm: “In Amy Coney Barrett, Trump Picks an Exacting Scholar for Supreme Court.”
Heritage Foundation Legal Fellow GianCarlo Canaparo: “What you need to know about #ACB: 1) she’s brilliant 2) extraordinarily well qualified; and 3) summed up her view of the judicial role this way: “I do not think it lawful for a judge to impose personal opinions, from whatever source they derive, upon the law.”
Heritage Foundation Legal Fellow Zack Smith: “Judge Amy Coney Barrett will make a fantastic addition to #SCOTUS!”
CONSERVATIVES
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel: “Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a remarkable nominee, and the Senate should confirm her without delay.”
The Heritage Foundation: “Amy Coney Barrett’s judicial philosophy, legal credentials and strong character make her an excellent choice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James: “Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding choice for SCOTUS. An originalist who respects the Constitution and will issue rulings based on the law.”
Judicial Crisis Network President Carrie Severino: “President Trump promised to appoint justices in the mold of Scalia and Thomas. He has kept that promise and I look forward to supporting Judge Barrett's confirmation.”
National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Inspired choice”
COMMENTATORS & MEDIA
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “Clearly Judge Amy Coney Barrett is highly qualified as a jurist. She has a wonderful, wonderful personal story, a beautiful family.”
CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin: “[Judge Amy Coney Barrett] is a remarkable person and has a remarkable personal story.”
CNN’s Abby Phillip: “Amy Coney Barrett is different in that she is widely viewed to be well qualified for this position even with people who don’t agree with her actual positions.”
Fox News’ Andy McCarthy: “But you know, look. She’s somebody that they just confirmed three years ago. She’s got an impeccable record. She has the admiration of people who are her ideological adversaries, perhaps, but respect her humility and her courage as the theme that she struck at the end of her statement. Admire that about her, and I that’s why she’ll be an exquisite justice of the Supreme Court.”
Radio Host Hugh Hewitt: “Well done @Realdonaldtrump and congratulations to Judge Barrett who will soon be Justice Barrett.”
Editorial Boards
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board: “In a vacuum, Amy Coney Barrett would be seen by all as a highly capable, fully qualified choice to serve as a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court … Her credentials are impeccable.”
Detroit News Editorial Board: “Barrett is a strong choice, and she deserves a fair hearing in the Senate.”
Judicial Watch
Judicial Watch Statement on Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court:What a brave, wonderful Supreme Court pick by President Trump! President Trump has once again stood up for the U.S. Constitution with his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Judge Barrett has a demonstrated record of applying the rule of law rather than legislating from the bench. Her record shows that she will not only respect but apply the U.S. Constitution as written and intended by our Founding Fathers. And it would be a wonderful milestone that Judge Barrett would be the first conservative woman member on the Supreme Court. She seems to be a full spectrum conservative who is likely to be a force on the Supreme Court for years to come.
This nomination is another great victory for constitutional government and a blow to politicized decision-making on the Supreme Court. Most Americans agree with Judge Barrett that the Supreme Court should apply the law as it is written and leave the legislating to the people’s elected representatives.
The U.S. Senate should move quickly to work with President Trump to consider and approve Judge Barrett before Election Day. There is not much radical liberals can do to stop this excellent Supreme Court pick. Leftist threats of violence and court-packing should not slow the Senate one bit. And all Americans should reject the growing un-American campaign by the radical left to attack her family and oppose Justice Barrett because of her religious faith.
Judge Barrett cannot be confirmed soon enough.
OPPOSE
Demand Justice
FACT SHEET ON AMY CONEY BARRETT
Trump’s anti-ACA, anti-Roe pick would dramatically shift the Court’s balance of power even further to the right
Amy Coney Barrett is a far-right, activist judge whose confirmation would threaten to upend the lives of millions of Americans by ending the Affordable Care Act and Roe v. Wade.This fact sheet can also be viewed at this link.
Affordable Care Act
The Supreme Court is currently considering a case in which the justices could strike down the Affordable Care Act in its entirety, ending protections for Americans with preexisting conditions, and kicking millions off their health insurance. Barrett has repeatedly signaled that she would support lawsuits to overturn the Affordable Care Act:
- Barrett criticized Chief Justice Roberts for his opinion in NFIB v. Sebelius, which upheld the ACA against a constitutional challenge, saying he “pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute.”
- In a 2015 NPR interview, Barrett expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court’s majority opinion in King v. Burwell, the second case in which the Court upheld the ACA, saying the dissent had “the better of the legal argument.”
Roe v. Wade
Barrett was the favorite choice of anti-choice activists because she has made clear that she does not respect the constitutional right to an abortion and would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade and curtail reproductive freedom.
- In a 2003 article, she suggested Roe v. Wade was an “erroneous decision.”
- In that article, Barrett wrote, “Courts and commentators have… thought about the kinds of reliance interests that justify keeping an erroneous decision on the books” -- and the only decision she cited as an example of an “erroneous decision” was the Planned Parenthood v. Casey Supreme Court decision that specifically reaffirmed Roe v. Wade.
- In another article, Barrett gave examples of “cases that no justice would overrule, even if she disagrees with the interpretive premises from which precedent proceeds”—but did not list Roe.
- In 2018, the U.S.Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit struck down an Indiana law that would have prohibited abortions at any time during a pregnancy based on the reason a person is seeking an abortion. The court held that the law “clearly violate[d] well-established Supreme Court precedent.” Barrett went on record saying she disagreed with the court’s ruling and strongly suggesting that the law was, in fact, constitutional.
- In 2019, the Seventh Circuit struck down another blatantly unconstitutional law which would have required anyone under 18 to notify their parents prior to receiving an abortion, without exception. Barrett would have allowed the law to go into effect.
- She was a member of Notre Dame University’s anti-abortion Faculty for Life.
- Sen. Josh Hawley said that he would only vote for justices who have said that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and that Barrett “meets that standard.”
- Barrett signed an open letter that criticized the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit as an “assault on religious liberty” and referred to common birth control methods as “abortion-drugs” and “embryo-destroying ‘five day after pill.’”
Workers’ Rights
Barrett has a troubling track record of siding with companies that engage in discrimination. Her record raises serious questions about how she would approach workers’ rights and civil rights issues on the bench.
- Barrett has ruled for corporations over people 76% of the time.
- Barrett upheld a ruling that allowed a company to “intentionally assign members of different races to [work at] different stores.” In a dissent, one judge called it a “separate-but-equal arrangement” and said it was “contrary to the position that the Supreme Court has taken in analogous equal protection cases as far back as Brown v. Board of Education.”
- Barrett ruled that a company had not engaged in illegal age discrimination by having a maximum number of years of experience for a job posting, even though the requirement severely disadvantaged older workers.
- Barrett dismissed a case brought by two employees against an employer who they claimed improperly fired them. The employees attempted to utilize the employers’ arbitration process, but eventually sued in court because the process had been stalled for years. Barrett’s dismissal kicked the employees out of federal court.
Gun Safety
Barrett’s record raises serious concerns about how she would approach gun safety laws. Last year, she dissented from a decision upholding a longstanding federal law that banned people who had been convicted of felonies from possessing firearms, suggesting she takes a radical view on gun safety that could also lead her to strike down other, common-sense gun safety measures.
Immigrant Justice
Barrett has repeatedly ruled against the rights of immigrants, siding with the Trump administration on its public charge rule and repeatedly voting for overly harsh interpretations of immigration law.
- Barrett voted to let the Trump administration impose a so-called “public charge” rule that would have prevented immigrants from receiving legal permanent residence status if they had availed themselves of certain public benefits to which, by law, they were entitled. The Trump rule vastly expanded the definition of “public charge,” thereby expanding the universe of immigrants who were deemed ineligible for legal permanent residence.
- Barrett wrote the majority opinion rejecting an El Salvadoran immigrant’s request for protection from deportation. Though the immigrant in the case fled to the U.S. because he was the target of gang violence in his home country, his request for protection was rejected based on what the dissent described as “minor” and “trivial” inconsistencies in his testimony.
- Barrett wrote an opinion dismissing the case of a U.S. citizen who claimed his due process rights were violated when a consular official denied his spouse a visa based on unsubstantiated and contradicted allegations of wrongdoing.
- Barrett cast the deciding vote to allow for the immediate deportation of a legal permanent resident who had lived in the United States for over thirty years but who became deportable simply because of an arcane, and since-repealed, federal law that treats children of naturalized mothers and children of mothers who are citizens by birth differently.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Barrett’s track record suggests she could be on the side of reversing decades of progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, a fact made all the more troubling by her stated willingness to disregard precedent when it conflicts with her own analysis.
- She has defended the Supreme Court’s dissenters on the landmark marriage equality case of Obergefell v. Hodges, questioning the role of the court in deciding the case.
- She has said Title IX protections do not extend to transgender Americans, claiming it’s a “strain on the text” to reach that interpretation.
- She has misgendered transgender people, referring to a transgender women as “physiological males,” while casting doubt on transgender rights.
- She has been paid $4200 for addressing a legal group affiliated with Alliance Defending Freedom, a group that advocates have called “arguably the most extreme anti-LGBT legal organization in the United States.”
Partisan Ties
Barrett has been a loyal footsoldier in the Republican Party’s attempts to subvert the democratic process in the interest of partisanship, working on the Bush v. Gore case and defending Republicans’ choice not to fill a Supreme Court vacancy during President Obama’s term in office.
- Barrett started her legal career working to win the 2000 presidential election for George W. Bush. She describes Bush v. Gore as one of the most significant legal activities she has pursued. She even spent time in Florida researching and briefing the case.
- Trump promised before his election in 2016 that his judges would all be “picked by the Federalist Society.” Barrett was a member of the Federalist Society from 2005 to 2006 and rejoined the group in 2014, citing “the opportunity to speak to groups of interested, engaged students on topics of mutual interest.” A mere three years later, she was nominated by President Trump to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and within eleven months, she was added to Trump’s Supreme Court shortlist.
- In 2016, Barrett defended the Republican Party’s unprecedented decision to block President Obama from choosing a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. After tersely reviewing the history of election-year Supreme Court nominations, distinguishing each example that failed to support the GOP’s position, she concluded that “the president has the power to nominate and the Senate has the power to act or not.”
Substituting Her Own Views For Binding Precedent
Barrett’s radical views are all the more dangerous because she has made clear she would not be bound by the traditional principle that Supreme Court justices should defer to precedent set by past Supreme Court decisions. Barrett would be a dangerous Supreme Court justice because she would substitute her own views for long-standing law.
- Barrett wrote that Supreme Court justices should not follow precedent they disagree with, but instead have “a duty” to substitute their own “best understanding” of the Constitution.
- The Los Angeles Times noted that Barrett has been “unusually frank in her support for overturning precedents that are not in line with the Constitution.”
Biden for President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2020
Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on the U.S. Supreme Court
Election Day is just weeks away, and millions of Americans are already voting because the stakes in this election could not be higher. They feel the urgency of this choice – an urgency made all the more acute by what’s at stake at the U.S. Supreme Court.They are voting because their health care hangs in the balance. They are voting because they worry about losing their right to vote or being expelled from the only country they have ever known. They are voting right now because they fear losing their collective bargaining rights. They are voting to demand that equal justice be guaranteed for all. They are voting because they don’t want Roe v. Wade, which has been the law of the land for nearly half a century, to be overturned.
President Trump has been trying to throw out the Affordable Care Act for four years. Republicans have been trying to end it for a decade. Twice, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law as constitutional.
But even now, in the midst of a global health pandemic, the Trump Administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the entire law, including its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. If President Trump has his way, complications from COVID-19, like lung scarring and heart damage, could become the next deniable pre-existing condition.
Today, President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the successor to Justice Ginsburg’s seat. She has a written track record of disagreeing with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act. She critiqued Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion upholding the law in 2012.
The American people know the U.S. Supreme Court decisions affect their everyday lives. The United States Constitution was designed to give the voters one chance to have their voice heard on who serves on the Court. 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.
DNC on Trump’s SCOTUS Nominee
DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:American Bridge 21st Century
American Bridge 21st Century Adds Barrett to Publicly-Accessible Trump Opposition Research Hub
The first-of-its-kind website provides free and searchable thematic reports on Trump, Pence, and Barrett
In response to Donald Trump’s Supreme Court power grab, American Bridge 21st Century today launched an update to its first-of-its-kind, publicly-accessible research hub featuring damaging reports on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. The website provides detailed research from American Bridge 21st Century that breaks down thousands of pages of documents, disclosures, and reporting into themes and issue areas for the public and progressive allies.The Barrett update is organized into categories, each divided into multiple reports designed to help the reader grasp the full story on her extreme, dangerous record. These categories are:
- Dangerous
Jurisprudence: Barrett’s presence on
the court could jeopardize health
care for tens of millions and result
in dangerous repeals of commonsense
firearm regulation
- Cruel Record On Civil
Rights: Barrett’s dangerous record
threatens to overturn Roe v. Wade,
gay marriage, and critical progress
on civil rights
- Too Much Of A Partisan
Conservative For The Court:
Barrett’s radical ideology,
hypocrisy on Supreme Court
vacancies, and work on the 2000 Bush
recount effort disqualify her from
holding a lifetime appointment to
the bench
American Bridge 21st Century’s Barrett research hub can be viewed here.
“Donald Trump’s hypocritical rush to fill a Supreme Court seat in an election year is nothing more than a brazen power grab to repeal the Affordable Care Act, overturn Roe v. Wade, and steal the 2020 election. In Amy Coney Barrett, Trump has found the perfect accomplice for his extreme agenda and abuse of power,” said American Bridge President Bradley Beychok. “The American people want a fair and balanced court, not an overly politicized body that will radically undo the civil rights and progress that millions have fought for. American Bridge 21st Century stands shoulder to shoulder with our progressive allies in the fight to stop this confirmation. We will ensure that the public knows the truth about Amy Coney Barrett’s extreme record and why we cannot trust her with a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land.”
Women's March
Women’s March Comment on SCOTUS Nomination: No Confirmation Before Inauguration
New York, NY - In response to Trump’s announcement of his SCOTUS pick, Women’s March has released the following statement:
“In January 2017, millions of women marched for a shared vision: a country where every family’s well being and dreams of security are in reach. That entire vision is at stake and is why this must be a matter for the next Congress and the new President.
“By moving forward with any nomination, Republicans in Washington have sent a clear message: they believe the American Dream should only be available to a chosen few, and they prioritize their personal pursuit of power over the health, safety, and prosperity of the masses in the midst of a global pandemic. Republicans have said clearly they have no time for, or interest in, the women in this country, who have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s economic and health devastation.
“Amy Coney Barrett has a long, notorious record as an anti-choice, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, anti-gun control extremist. Her presence on the Supreme Court would be a direct threat against all the freedoms, rights, and feminist values Women’s March has fought so hard to defend under this administration. The power of women is the prevailing force in American electoral politics today. We are in this fight until the end.”
# # #
Women’s March harnesses the
political power of diverse women and
their communities to create
transformative social change.
MomsRising.org
We say NO WAY to Amy Coney Barrett on theU.S. Supreme Court
Health care revoked. Discrimination unchecked. Rights devalued. Reproductive freedom and justice denied. Checks and balances crushed. Promises discarded the moment they become inconvenient. The arc of the moral universe bending away from, instead of toward, justice. Democracy trampled.
We’ve got to stop this.
→ Tell your U.S. Senators: No hearings or votes on the U.S. Supreme Court before the inauguration! Click here to sign now.
This is a time-sensitive emergency. President Trump is trying to ram through an extremist, Amy Coney Barrett, for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is an attack on women’s health and right to choose, and it’s one more attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act -- to kick millions of us off our health insurance and raise costs for millions more. [1] And it’s happening, in the middle of a pandemic. Unconscionable.
Your voice is needed to help stop the Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate and Trump.
→ Each and every U.S. Senator needs to hear from us ASAP: No hearings or votes on a U.S. Supreme Court nominee before the inauguration!
Taking away health care from those who need it most is just the start of the damage a confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett would cause. Trump’s nominee would wreak havoc on our country: A woman’s right to choose if, when, and how many children is on the line, as is decades of progress in rights for people of color and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as environmental protections.[2]
It’s not lost on us that more than two-thirds of people in our nation believe in a woman’s right to choose how many children to have, when to have them, and how many; and support abortion remaining legal -- and yet Donald Trump is trying to trample those rights. [3] We cannot allow Donald Trump, the Republican U.S. Senate leadership, and a small minority of people to decide such a crucial right and take away laws that we have counted on for decades.
Trump’s nominee is an extremist pick. In fact, the New York Times reported: “Mr. Trump could hardly have found a more polar opposite to Justice Ginsburg, a pioneering champion of women’s rights and leader of the liberal wing of the court.” [4]
→ Tell your U.S. Senators: No hearings or votes on the U.S. Supreme Court before the inauguration! Click here to sign now.
More details are in the below email when you scroll down. Suffice to say that the U.S. Senate has the wrong priorities -- and we need to let them know!
Please also forward this email, post the action link on social media, and spread the word. The more of us who raise our voices now, the bigger the impact we’ll have. And our impact is needed!
Thank you for all you do to help protect our democracy and country.
- Amber, Anita, Aryan, Beatriz, Beth, Casey, Christina, Claudia, Diarra, Diana, Donna, dream, Elyssa, Felicia, Gloria, Hanna, Jessica, Jordan, Joy, Julia, Karen, Keisha, Kelle, Kristin, Linda, Lisa, Lucerecer, Maggie, Marysol, Monifa, Nadia, Nancy, Nate, Nina, Rocío, Rosie, Ruby, Ruth, Sara, Shanette, Sheila, Sili, Sue Anne, Tasmiha, Taylor, Tina, Tola, and Xochitl
References:
[1] "What Amy Coney Barrett Has Said About ACA"
[2] "Amy Coney Barrett Is an Extremist—Just Not the Kind You Think"
[3] "What we know about Amy Coney Barrett's judicial abortion record"
[4] "Trump Selects Amy Coney Barrett to Fill Ginsburg’s Seat on the Supreme Court"