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- After the death of the legendary Constitutional Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a bitter political struggle is emerging for his successor.
- If President Donald Trump’s Republicans fill the vacant seat, that would cement the conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
- The US Supreme Court often has the final say on controversial policy issues such as abortion, immigration, gun law, and discrimination.
Justices of the United States Supreme Court are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he would like to fill the post of the late Constitutional Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg while her term expires. And this despite the fact that elections are just around the corner, says US correspondent Isabelle Jacobi.
“Even the Republican Majority Leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, promises to confirm the nomination in the Senate,” Jacobi continued. McConnell did not say whether this would happen before or after the election. Typically, it takes about a month for the FBI to thoroughly review a candidacy’s background. But, in theory, the Republicans could probably vote before the election. In principle, you have the necessary majority. “
It is also clear: “The president of the United States, Trump, has promised his voters to appoint a strictly conservative judge.” Currently, five judges are considered conservative, after the death of Bader Ginsburg, three remain in the liberal bloc.
The justices of the Supreme Court
“Worst Case” for Democrats
For Democrats, the loss of the judge would also jeopardize many liberal achievements, such as minority rights, climate protection, equality, or electoral rights. “The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg shortly before the election is the worst case for Democrats.”
Democrats are now vehemently demanding that a newly elected president only be allowed to determine the successor to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, explains the SRF correspondent. They recall that in 2016 the Republicans blocked President Obama when he appointed a superior judge in his last election year. “But for Republicans this is, of course, yesterday’s news.” You also have a majority in the Senate, says Isabelle Jacobi.
Who will benefit from this in the elections?
The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg now strikes “like lightning in this already bitter election campaign.” The political fight for Bader Ginsburg’s successor could overshadow other issues like Corona or the Black Lives Matter protests, says the US correspondent.
“At first glance, it can be assumed that Donald Trump could benefit if he can now boast shortly before the election that he has already awarded his third Supreme Court seat.” It could shape America’s judiciary for decades. But it could also be, says Jacobi, that the opposite effect occurs. “If you name an arch-conservative figure, it can scare moderate and independent voters, but especially women.”
Given the paramount importance of the post of Supreme Court justice, questions about when to elect a judge are likely to raise heated political controversy. The incumbent president can thus influence the line of the supreme court for many years, because the judges are elected for life.
