President Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court on Thursday, while opponents nearby booed and chanted “Honor her wish” to delay his nomination of a replacement.
The Trumps, wearing black masks, stood solemnly with their heads bowed before Justice Ginsburg’s flag-draped casket at the top of the Court’s marble steps.
Within minutes of their arrival, some people gathered along barricades at the high court made a commotion, booing and jeering. Some were chanting “Vote him out!”
Mr. Trump told reporters later, “we could hardly hear it from where we were.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the reaction of spectators was “appalling.”
“The chants were appalling, but certainly to be expected when you’re in the heart of the swamp,” she said. “Everyone has a First Amendment in this country, but I thought it was an appalling and disrespectful thing to do.”
Liberal Justice Ginsburg, who died Friday at age 87, reportedly had told a family member that she wanted her replacement to be appointed by the next president.
Mr. Trump will announce his nominee on Saturday in an event in the White House Rose Garden. Conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is believed to be the front-runner.
The president said he is “very close to a final choice.” He wouldn’t say whether he plans to meet with Judge Barbara Lagoa of Florida, who sits on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, during a visit to the state Thursday night and Friday.
Mr. Trump said his announcement of the nominee Saturday “is going to be a very important day in the history of our country. I think it’s going to be a very monumental, a very good choice.”
Vice President Mike Pence, campaigning in Wisconsin Thursday, said the president “will do his constitutional duty” by nominating “a principled conservative woman” to the high court.
“And after the United States Senate fulfills their duty to advise and consent … We’re going to fill that seat,” Mr. Pence said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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