Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez called on the Senate Tuesday to withhold confirming Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court until the FBI finishes its investigation into potential ties between President Trump’s campaign and Russia.
“First, it’s entirely unacceptable for Donald Trump to place a justice on SCOTUS with his presidency under the cloud of an FBI investigation,” Perez tweeted. “The Senate should hold off on any action on this lifetime appointment until the FBI investigation into Trump’s Russia connections concludes.”
Perez made the comments during day two of Gorsuch’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It comes a day after FBI Director James Comey revealed that the agency has been investigating the campaign’s possible ties to Russia since July.
After rattling off his issues with Gorsuch’s hearing, the newly-elected DNC chairman called for the Senate to treat the judge the same way Republicans did for Chief Judge Merrick Garland, who did not receive a hearing or vote after being nominated to the Supreme Court in March.
“With this nominee, we need to afford @realDonaldTrump the same courtesy Mitch McConnell afforded Barack Obama – no courtesy at all,” Perez said.
The remarks echo those from David Brock, a top Democratic operative, who called for Senate Democrats to “boycott” the hearings until the FBI investigation is complete.
“Dems must boycott Gorsuch hearings until the FBI’s Russia investigation concludes. Can’t give illegitimate Pres a lifetime appt to SCOTUS,” Brock said.
