Recent comments by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia gave even Donald Trump pause.
Trump Sunday said he “didn’t like” statements Scalia made last week during oral arguments on an affirmative action case.
In remarks defenders say were intended to summarize an argument the court was considering, Scalia raised the issue of whether it might be better for some African-American students to go to “a less-advanced school … a slower-track school where they do well.”
Asked about the remarks, Trump, who has supported affirmative action, reluctantly took issue.
“They were very, very tough to a certain community,” he said. “I don’t like what he said.”
“I heard him; I was like, ‘let me read it again … Woah,'” Trump said.
“I have great African-American friendships,” Trump said. “I was very surprised at Scalia’s statements, actually.”
The panel following Tapper’s interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” seemed stunned by Trump’s remarks.
CNN reporter Dana Bash, who will be moderating Tuesday’s debate, asked, “For a Republican, for a conservative, to criticize Scalia is anathema, right?”
Bash said Trump sounded like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Hugh Hewitt, who will also be moderating, faulted Trump.
“I don’t think he understands oral argument, because you can say anything, doesn’t mean you believe it,” Hewitt said.
