President Trump intends to visit the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg while she lies in repose at the Supreme Court.
“The president will pay his respects to the late justice on Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court where she will be lying in repose,” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told reporters on Wednesday.
The casket arrived at the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning, and a private ceremony is being held for her family and friends. Ginsburg, who died on Friday at the age of 87 due to complications from cancer, will lie in repose under the portico at the top of the front steps to allow for public viewing outdoors on Wednesday and Thursday. A private interment service for Ginsburg will be held next week at Arlington National Cemetery.
The president was speaking at a campaign rally in Minnesota when the news of Ginsburg’s death was reported Friday evening.
“She just died?” Trump said when asked by a reporter about her death. “Wow, I didn’t know. You’re telling me now for the first time. She led an amazing life. What else can you say? She was an amazing woman. Whether you agreed or not, she was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I’m actually saddened to hear that.”
The president said he will nominate a woman to replace Ginsburg on the high court on Saturday. Democrats are calling on Republicans to wait until the November election to vote on a nominee, but GOP Senate leaders are pressing ahead and have signaled that they believe they have enough votes to confirm Trump’s pick.
