The Conversation (0)
News
James Besanvalle
Sep 27, 2020
It’s official – Donald Trump has formally nominated Amy Coney Barrett for the US Supreme Court.
The POTUS made the announcement at the White House on Saturday evening and said she is “eminently qualified for the job”.
He added:
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.
The audience at the White House Rose Garden then erupted into applause.
But not everyone was happy with the nomination.
Barrett is a devout Catholic and, as such, she is expected to oppose abortion rights.
She’s previously remarked that the church’s views on prohibiting abortion and euthanasia are “absolute” because they “take away innocent life”.
People were horrified someone with anti-abortion views may assume one of the most powerful positions in the country:
Barrett is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and limiting gun control:
People were also nervous about her record on LGBTQ+ rights:
In a June dissent, she wrote that she favoured allowing one of Trump's contested policies. She was out-ruled, 2-1, to end the so-called “public charge” rule in Illinois.
That Trump policy denies legal permanent residency to some migrants who are deemed most likely to require government assistance at some point.
So people were nervous about her record on immigration:
And healthcare:
Trump’s plan is to confirm Barrett before the 3 November election so confirmation hearings for her will begin on 12 October.