White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Wednesday rejected attempts by Democrats to delay consideration of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee because Trump’s former lawyer and campaign manager were found guilty of charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller.
“This is a desperate and pathetic attempt by Democrats to obstruct a very highly qualified nominee,” Sanders told reporters about Trump’s pick, Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
“The hearing date has been set for Sept. 4, and Judge Kavanaugh will be there,” she said.
Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his former lawyer Michael Cohen on Tuesday were both found guilty of tax evasion and other charges, and Cohen told a federal court that Trump instructed him to violate campaign finance laws.
That prompted many Democrats to argue that the Senate should delay consideration of Kavanaugh.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and others said Cohen’s testimony makes Trump an “unindicted co-conspirator,” and that the Senate therefore needs to think twice before allowing Trump to appoint a permanent member of the Supreme Court.
Other Democrats on Tuesday were making similar arguments, such as Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I.
And others said they’re worried that Kavanaugh has indicated his view that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said it would be a mistake to let Trump put him on the court for that reason.
“Paul Manafort – found guilty. Michael Cohen – pleads guilty, implicates Donald Trump,” Markey tweeted. “Donald Trump has nominated a Supreme Court justice who believes he can’t be indicted.”
[More: Sarah Sanders: Manafort pardon has not ‘been up for discussion’]
