President Trump suggested that Sen. Chuck Schumer should be arrested or removed from office after the Senate minority leader threatened two Supreme Court justices.
Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said on Wednesday that Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would “pay the price” if they choose to uphold a Louisiana law that mandates abortion doctors be preapproved to check their patients into a nearby hospital. Both justices are Trump appointees.
“This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW!” Trump tweeted on Wednesday evening.
This is a direct & dangerous threat to the U.S. Supreme Court by Schumer. If a Republican did this, he or she would be arrested, or impeached. Serious action MUST be taken NOW! https://t.co/WqQUbyzaJU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020
Chief Justice John Roberts offered a rare public statement condemning Schumer’s remarks in front of the Supreme Court as the justices heard opening arguments in the abortion-related case June Medical Services v. Russo.
Schumer said his comments were taken out of context and that his perceived threat was a warning to Republican senators of the political price they “will pay for putting these justices on the court.” The Democratic lawmaker also accused the chief justice of acting openly partisan in his criticism.
