Trump Says He Will Announce Supreme Court Pick Friday Or Saturday

Topline

President Trump said on Monday that he plans to announce his nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday or Saturday—after funeral services for the late justice— which he claimed would leave “plenty of time” for a Senate confirmation vote before the Nov. 3 election.

Key Facts

Key Background:

Ginsburg died Friday at 87-years-old after suffering from pancreatic cancer. Her passing immediately led to a contentious debate over when President Trump would nominate a replacement to fill her seat, and if the ensuing vote would pass in the Senate. Two moderate Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, issued statements over the weekend indicating they do not support a vote on a new nominee before November 3rd. The Democrats are hoping two more Republican senators express similar sentiments this week. Both parties anxiously await public comments from Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), as well as Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)

Tangent:

NPR reported Friday that Ginsburg dictated a statement to her granddaughter before she passed. “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” it said. On Monday, Trump claimed, without evidence, that the statement may have been written by Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi or Chuck Schumer. “I don’t know that she said that,” the president said, “or was that written out by Adam Schiff or Pelosi?” Trump added, “I would be more inclined to the second, OK – you know, that came out of the wind. That sounds so beautiful, but that sounds like a Schumer deal, or maybe Pelosi or for Shifty Schiff.” 

Big Number:

43: That’s the number of days until November 3rd, Election Day. 

Further Reading:

Trump Says He Plans To Announce Supreme Court Pick Friday Or Saturday (NPR) 

Trump Threatens To Issue Executive Order Preventing Biden From Being Elected President (Forbes) 

Murkowski Joins Collins In Opposing Supreme Court Vote Before Election – Here’s Who Matters Now (Forbes)