After failing to block Justice Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation, Sen. Al Franken said Wednesday he’ll be keeping an eye on the high court’s newest judge to see if his predictions of a conservative ideologue come true.
Speaking to a packed room at the Alliance for Justice’s annual luncheon, Mr. Franken said the newly minted justice was deceptive and seemed to lack empathy during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Now that he’s been confirmed, I’ll be watching Judge Gorsuch as he considers cases on the Supreme Court to see how he will rule now that he’s not restrained by precedent,” Mr. Franken said.
During the March hearing, Mr. Franken posed questions about a case involving a trucker who was fired after abandoning his load on the side of the road when he was stuck in frigid weather. The judge had ruled against the driver, saying federal law backed the company’s firing decision.
Mr. Franken said Justice Gorsuch wasn’t able to put himself in the driver’s shoes.
“I think everyone in that room knew he wasn’t being honest and you kind of want, at the very least, a Supreme Court justice to be honest,” said Mr. Franken.
The senator drew two standing ovations during his remarks.
The Alliance for Justice had led the push to demand Democrats filibuster Justice Gorsuch, resulting in the GOP triggering the “nuclear option” shortcut to change the rules, eviscerating the power of the filibuster for all future court nominees.
Mr. Franken said the courts will play a role in constraining President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, saying without a check the administration would turn its back on refugees fleeing their countries, bully transgender students and oppose a black grandmother who was rejected from the polls because she didn’t have a driver’s license to vote.
“But the courts aren’t having it,” he said. “The courts matter and judges matter.”
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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