Amy Coney Barrett Says Supreme Court Can’t Force The President To Obey Its Decisions

Topline

As Democrats continue to raise concerns about whether President Trump will peacefully transfer power if he loses the election, Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who has refused to comment on whether presidents must commit to this, said Wednesday that the court actually has no power over “whether or not a president obeys” its decisions.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote 

“The Supreme Court has no power, no force, no will, so it relies on the other branches to react to its judgments accordingly,” Barrett said. 

Key Background 

These comments will likely fuel concerns among those who believe Trump will fight the election’s results in November. Senate Democrats have suggested during the hearings that Trump is attempting to rush through Barrett’s confirmation before the presidential election so the Supreme Court has a conservative majority to give him a leg up if a case were to go to the Supreme Court. Several Democrats have even asked Barrett to recuse herself from all election-related cases if she is confirmed. Barrett, in response, has insisted she is independent of the president and has not been asked by the White House to rule in any certain way.