President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday to the Supreme Court lifted the hopes of social conservatives, many of whom believe that what is likely to be a 6-3 conservative majority will usher in favorable decisions on religious freedom and abortion.
Trump, in his nomination speech, emphasized Barrett’s dual role as jurist and mother, mentioning that she is the first woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court with school-aged children. Trump read out the names of Barrett’s seven children, devoting special attention to Barrett’s bond with her son with Down syndrome.
Barrett at the ceremony also spoke at length about her family, joking that they have the number of people as there are justices on the court.
Barrett, whom Trump appointed to the 7th Circuit Court in 2017, received outsize attention in the past week for her religion and the size of her family. Her membership in the ecumenical Christian group People of Praise drew criticism from many people, who erroneously said that it was the inspiration for the cult in Margaret Atwood’s series, The Handmaid’s Tale. At the same time, her vocal Catholicism has prompted many Christians and conservatives to praise her effusively.
Upon Trump’s nomination, many politically active Christian leaders praised Barrett as a continuation of Trump’s favorable policies and attitude toward conservative people of faith.
Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life, which is the largest annual anti-abortion demonstration, said that Barrett will tie the anti-abortion community, which claims Trump as “the most pro-life president,” even closer to him.
“We have confidence that she will fairly apply the law and Constitution as written, which includes protecting the most vulnerable in our nation: our unborn children,” Mancini said, urging the Senate to confirm Barrett as quickly as possible.
Grazie Christie, policy adviser for the Catholic Association, a politically conservative advocacy group, compared Barrett to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in that she is “a model and an inspiration to American women.” Christie, echoing the sentiment of Mancini, called for the Senate to move forward with the confirmation process.
“Her stellar record calls for a speedy and fair hearing,” Christie said. “Democrat senators must put aside the religious bigotry they have shown in the past.”
As the confirmation process begins, many social conservatives and Republican senators have noted that Barrett’s confirmation hearings will be contentious. Trump at the nomination joked that the confirmation process would be “noncontroversial.”
Barrett in 2017 faced criticism for her Catholicism, notably when California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told her, “The dogma lives loudly within you,” in reference to her faith. Referencing what will likely be a reprisal of concerns about Barrett’s faith when hearings begin in October, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List, urged former Vice President Joe Biden to speak out against possible attacks on Barrett’s faith.
Dannenfelser, whose endorsement helped ensure Barrett’s nomination, also praised Barrett’s legal record.
“An accomplished woman of bold conviction, Amy Barrett withstood outrageous personal attacks on her Catholic faith from pro-abortion senators with grace and integrity during her 2017 confirmation hearing,” she said. “Judge Barrett has shown courage, wisdom, and brilliance during her tenure on the 7th Circuit. Her experience and expertise make her extremely qualified to serve on the nation’s highest court.”
