Amy Coney Barrett’s US Supreme Court confirmation called a “threat to LGBT equality”
Barrett's lifelong appointment gives the court a decisive 6-3 conservative majority
Amy Coney Barrett has been confirmed to the US Supreme Court, one week before the US Presidential election.
The lifelong appointment gives the court a decisive 6-3 conservative majority and could change the course of history in the US for decades.
Incumbent President Donald Trump’s pick for the seat was sworn in at a ceremony at the White House last night.
“She is one of our nation’s most brilliant legal scholars”
Trump commented: “This is a momentous day for America, for the United States constitution and for the fair and impartial rule of law.
“She is one of our nation’s most brilliant legal scholars and she will make an outstanding justice on the highest court in our land.”
Justice Barrett meanwhile commented: “A judge declares independence not only from Congress and the president, but also from the private beliefs that might otherwise move her.
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“The judicial oath captures the essence of the judicial duty: the rule of law must always control.”
Trump’s previous nominations to the Supreme Court were Neil Gorsuch on 1 February 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh on 10 July 2018.
The move comes after conservative-leaning Barrett apologised for calling sexuality a “preference” while dodging a question on marriage equality earlier this month.
Barrett fills the seat of the late liberal icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last month.
“Troubling anti-LGBTQ record and rhetoric”
Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the US-based LGBT rights organisation, said in a statement: “Despite Amy Coney Barrett’s troubling anti-LGBTQ record and rhetoric, Senate Republicans rushed through the fastest Supreme Court confirmation process in modern history.
“This was a power grab, plain and simple, and voters must hold these Senators – and Donald Trump – accountable at the polls.
“The process was a sham, the hearings were fast-tracked, and once again, Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump have chosen power over people. We must reject this bald power grab and elect officials – especially in the White House and the U.S. Senate – who will ensure our judicial branch lives up to its potential. Voters should hold Sens. Daines, Ernst, Gardner, Graham, McSally, Sullivan and Tillis accountable at the ballot box. Our democracy and our lives depend on it.”
To read HRC’s report on Amy Coney Barrett’s record, click here.
On 3 November, Republican leader Trump goes head-to-head with Democrat Joe Biden in the polls. Stars including Cher and Tim Curry have been showing their support for Biden in recent days.
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