President Trump will not capitulate to Democratic lawmakers who have threatened to block his nominee to the Supreme Court if the individual is not “mainstream” enough, the White House indicated today.
“He’s been very clear about his priorities. He’s put out a list during the campaign of individuals he would consider,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters, referring to Trump’s list of 21 conservative judges and state Supreme Court justices whom he would consider nominating to the higher court.
“But I think it’s pretty mainstream to support the Constitution,” Spicer continued. “Pretty mainstream to follow the law and not to create laws from the bench.”
“I think a majority of Americans would agree, and I think when it comes to the candidates that he’s put up for his Cabinet – look at the quality and caliber of these people. That’s the quality and the caliber he’s going to continue to look for,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York suggested Democrats would move to block nominees they didn’t consider “mainstream.”
“If the nominee is not bipartisan and mainstream, we absolutely will keep the seat open,” Schumer said.
Trump has said he plans to announce his pick to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia next week and will meet with Senate leadership late Tuesday afternoon to discuss the nomination process.
