Sen. Jeff Sessions called Donald Trump’s slate of potential Supreme Court justices, which the presumptive Republican nominee announced Wednesday afternoon, a “fabulous” list of “highly competent scholars.”
“I think all those who, like myself, believe that the judges should interpret the Constitution and follow the Constitution and serve under the Constitution are going to like this list of highly competent scholars and judges,” the Alabama Republican said during an interview with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto.
The list of 11 names includes Thomas Lee, the brother of Utah Sen. Mike Lee, and Diane Sykes, the ex-wife of prominent conservative radio host and anti-Trump commentator Charlie Sykes.
Trump’s campaign said the 11 names were selected “first and foremost, based on constitutional principles, with input from highly respected conservatives and Republican Party leadership.”
Among the potential nominees to fill the Supreme Court seat left empty by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death is Don Willett, a Texas judge with a history of tweeting unflattering observations about Trump’s candidacy.
“I doubt [Trump] cares,” Sessions said of Willett’s past comments about the real estate mogul.
“Most legal scholars — the people that would like this list — they’re looking for people not to advance a conservative agenda,” he added. “That’s not what we want, Neil. We want judges who follow the Constitution, because when you have these activist judges that redefine the meaning of words to execute a political agenda that the American people don’t favor and won’t pass, then you have a threat to the legal parities that we’ve been so blessed to have.”
Sessions, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised Bill Pryor of Alabama as a particularly qualified candidate. Pryor has served as the attorney general of Alabama.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, also lauded Trump’s selection of potential justices Wednesday.
“Mr. Trump has laid out an impressive list of highly qualified jurists, including Judge [Steven] Colloton from Iowa, who understand and respect the fundamental principle that the role of the courts is limited and subject to the Constitution and the rule of law,” Grassley said in a statement. “Understanding the types of judges a presidential nominee would select for the Supreme Court is an important step in this debate so the American people can have a voice in the direction of the Supreme Court for the next generation.”
The Supreme Court vacancy has become a prominent point of contention between Republicans and Democrats as Grassley’s committee has continued to avoid a hearing for President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland.
