While activity and controversy have consumed the White House over the past few weeks—the rollout of the health-care bill, President Trump’s claims he was wire-tapped by President Obama, the travel ban’s legal troubles, and the unveiling of the Trump budget—Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has been quietly preparing for his confirmation hearings, which begin on Monday.
The Colorado native and federal judge has been in Washington for weeks, participating in “murder boards” or mock hearings every Friday, as well as studying his case law. “I think this preparation process is pretty typical of most Supreme Court nominees,” said former New Hampshire senator Kelly Ayotte, who has been working closely with Gorsuch (“8- to 10-hour days”) by facilitating meetings with senators and guiding him through the confirmation process. The White House counsel’s office has been coordinating his official preparation with others, including the Justice Department.
