Donald Trump has made his first comments since nominating Judge Gorsuch for The Supreme Court, stating that "I don't know how anyone can opposed Gorsuch" warning that if Congress ends up in gridlock, he would tell Majority leader Mitch McConnell to "go nuclear" - referring to a rule change enabling a simple majority to confirm his picks.
President Trump to Mitch McConnell: “Go nuclear” if SCOTUS pick doesn't clear 60 votes https://t.co/uYLDrtBh3k https://t.co/IOlYQ4XMyW
— CNN (@CNN) February 1, 2017
"He's pefect in almost every way"...
“He’s perfect in almost every way”: Trump meets with SCOTUS groups day after Gorsuch pick https://t.co/3H8HckvhLB https://t.co/QVQ1aiHwIq
— CNN (@CNN) February 1, 2017
As a reminder, the “nuclear option” refers to a move by the majority party in Senate — in this case the Democrats — to change the Senate rules to allow most executive branch and judicial nominations to be approved with a simple majority – 51 votes — rather than the 60 votes now required. Under longstanding rules, the minority party has been able to block a nomination with just 41 votes, commonly called a filibuster.
"I want Gorsuch to go through an elegant process, as opposed to a demeaning process... of course the press can be very demeaning too, so..."
TRUMP: Want Gorsuch to go thru "elegant process, as opposed to a demeaning process...of course the press can be very demeaning too, so..." pic.twitter.com/OoDKqPCHK2
— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 1, 2017
Judge Gorsuch met with VP Pence And Leader McConnell earlier in the day...
JUST IN: Trump SCOTUS pick Judge Gorsuch appears with @VP & @SenateMajLdr on Capitol Hill https://t.co/9a3My30S7u https://t.co/H7R1ihWWHD
— CNN (@CNN) February 1, 2017