Anna Rhoads ’19
Senator Richard Blumenthal claims that during a meeting, Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, spoke against President Donald Trump’s actions towards James Robart.
James Robart of the Federal District Court in Seattle was the one to block Trump’s travel ban. This compelled Trump to tweet “The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump said on Feb. 4.
During the meeting between Blumenthal and Gorsuch they talked about Trump’s reaction to his travel ban being blocked. Blumenthal came out to CNN with information on Gorsuch’s views on it.”He said very specifically that they [Trump’s comments] were demoralizing and disheartening and he characterized them very specifically that way,” Blumenthal said.
Because Neil Gorsuch is Trump’s choice to fill Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat in the Supreme Court, the president chose to respond with a tweet. “Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie), now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?” Trump tweeted on Feb. 9.
Many people, including Staples students were caught off guard with this tweet.
“I think it’s impossible to know whether or not Blumenthal misrepresented Gorsuch, but I tend to not trust Trump’s tweets and have no reason to believe that he has any basis for this claim. If I am correct in thinking that he has no basis, then his tweet is absolutely uncalled for.” Theo Koskoff ’18 said.
After Blumenthal claimed Gorsuch came out against Trump, Ron Bonjean, leading communications for Gorsuch, confirmed Blumenthal. According to Bloomberg Politics, “Ron Bonjean confirmed Blumenthal’s account of their conversation in an e-mail and said Gorsuch “used the words disheartening and demoralizing.”
“I said they were more than disheartening and I said to him that he has an obligation to make his views clear to the American people, so they understand how abhorrent or unacceptable President Trump’s attacks on the judiciary are.” Blumenthal said.
Despite this quote from Blumenthal, Gorsuch has yet to make a public comment on the meeting and Trump is still standing behind the Supreme Court nominee.
