Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Democrats would block any “right-winger” that President Trump attempts to appoint to the Supreme Court after they take control of the Senate, according to a report by The Hill. The Hill reported that the stance could increase pressure on conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas to retire this year.
The Guardian reported the same position in remarks by Schumer, whom it described as the soon-to-be Senate majority leader. According to The Guardian’s account of the interview, the remarks came after Democratic midterm wins and previewed how Democrats intend to use their power when the new Congress comes into session in January. The Guardian said the plan for that period includes pushback against Trump and his policies.
The two outlets differ in how firmly they describe the position. The Guardian’s headline says Trump will be blocked from putting a rightwinger on the court, while The Hill’s report describes what Democrats would do once they control the Senate. Both accounts attribute the position to Schumer.
The excerpts available from both reports do not say whether Alito or Thomas plans to retire, or how the Senate would respond to a specific nomination. Both summaries are partial, so the full remarks and any further detail should be checked in the original reporting.
Sources: The Hill: Schumer vows Senate Democrats would block any ‘right-winger’ Trump Supreme Court nominee; The Guardian: Trump will be blocked from putting ‘rightwinger’ on supreme court, Schumer says.