Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway on Friday downplayed the impact President Trump’s upcoming Supreme Court pick could have on controversial issues.
Mrs. Conway pointed to Justice Neil Gorsuch’s appointment as an example of what kind of judge Mr. Trump is looking for, according to an interview on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom.”
She explained that Mr. Gorsuch phrased it “perfectly” when he said, in regards to issues like abortion, there is established precedent and “it didn’t matter” if he liked it.
“People on the other side, who are really losing at every turn these days politically — they are going to make this about one or two issues. We know that the Supreme Court covers any number of issues under the Constitution in a given term,” she said.
The Supreme Court ended this year’s term Wednesday, after releasing decisions on several key cases regarding internet sales tax, the travel ban, public-sector unions and free speech.
Justice Anthony Kennedy announced after the court closed that he would be retiring. The vacancy gives Mr. Trump an opportunity to swing the court to the right.
The prospect has Senate Democrats pledging to slow-roll the confirmation. Thursday. Sen. Richard Blumenthal described the president’s shortlist of potential picks as “right wing fringe ideologues.”
Mrs. Conway would not confirm that the president would nominate a justice by July 16, saying that the timeline was not based on the upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, she did not shoot down the possibility, suggesting Mr. Trump “may” make a decision before summit or “maybe sooner.”
“He’s a guy that moves with alacrity on everything,” she said.
Regarding the summit, Mrs. Conway said that a deal on Syria would be considered a “win” for the president. She also confirmed that he might discuss election interference with the Russian leader.
“Everything is on the table,” she said.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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