Turns out President Trump doesn’t care much for yes men. He’s picked a Supreme Court nominee who’s comfortable criticizing the executive during interviews with both Republican and Democrat senators. And ironically, that’s to the new president’s credit.
The development shows that Trump is more interested in Gorsuch’s abilities and qualifications than in getting his ego massaged. For a supposedly fascist megalomaniac who allegedly wants to fashion an autocracy from the burning heap of our representative democracy, that’s not bad.
Though his confirmation hearing isn’t scheduled, Gorsuch has already registered a healthy independence from a sometimes petulant president. In a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the nominee told the Connecticut Democrat that Trump’s attacks on the judge who halted his executive order were “disheartening” and “demoralizing.”
While Trump complained that Blumenthal misrepresented Gorsuch’s statement, there’s little chance the judge was misquoted. The next day, Sen. Ben Sasse asked a similar question and got the same result. On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” the Nebraska Republican reported that Gorsuch bristled at the attack on any “brother or sisters of the robe.”
Trump might not particularly enjoy that but he still trusts Gorsuch, evident by the fact that he hasn’t pulled the nomination.
This is reason for celebration on both sides of the aisle. If Gorsuch isn’t afraid to criticize the famously thin-skinned president while he’s beholden to him, he won’t be afraid to exercise rigorous judicial review when he enjoys lifetime tenure. That should give heart to any Republican or Democrat unnerved by some of the authoritarian things Trump spouts.
At least one Democrat thought that Gorsuch’s remarks were just a little too perfect. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speculated on CNN that the criticism was somehow “choreographed,” that it was part of a vast right wing ruse. If that’s true, the entire White House cabinet is in on the long con.
During confirmation hearings, Defense Secretary Mattis bucked the president and backed the Iranian nuclear agreement. Secretary of State Tillerson threw shade at Trump’s best geopolitical pal Vladimir Putin. And CIA Director Pompeo defended the reputation of the intelligence community against his attacks.
The cabinet that Trump built is a team of rivals against him on policy issues. Just like they appear prepared to push back in their counsel, Gorsuch is ready to check the executive branch if confirmed.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
