Democrats across the nation are not the only ones horrified at the idea of yet another nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States, Republicans seem nervous, too. The selection of a SCOTUS judge can affect the country and its laws for 40 years or more. Kennedy himself has already served for 30 years at the age of 81.
Justice Anthony Kennedy has announced his retirement, giving President Trump the chance to appoint a second judge. https://t.co/bYil5UUR4O
An early look at Thursday's front… pic.twitter.com/sMqbfavkXY
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 27, 2018
Kennedy was often the swing vote in many crucial court decisions despite the fact that he was nominated by the very conservative Ronald Reagan. In the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges case, Roberts voted against his more right-leaning associate judges and provided the swing vote necessary to make same-sex marriage legal. He also swung the 2005 Roper v. Simmons  that made executions of underage prisons illegal. Equally as important was his vote in the Planned Parenthood of Southeastern vs. Pennsylvania, which upheld Roe v. Wade.
As The New York Daily news stated:
‘Kennedy’s exit will result in a massive juridical shift for the high court, as he has been a crucial swing vote for more than a decade, siding with his liberal colleagues on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage and the validity of the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion ruling.’
There is something just so perfect about Anthony Kennedy, one of the most morally vain figures in American public life, handing his seat over to Donald J Trump.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 27, 2018
Needless to say, Democrats, progressives, and women’s rights group are up in arms over the news. After Mitch McConnell made an unprecedented move to deny President Obama’s nominee for SCOTUS after the death of Scalia, many Dems feel the confirmation of Trump’s nominee should be delayed until after the midterms in November when the voters have had their say in which nominees to confirm.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schemer said that:
‘The Senate should reject anyone who will instinctively side with powerful special interests over the interests of average Americans. People from all across America should realize that their rights and opportunities are threatened and should make their voices heard loudly, clearly and consistently.’
Any one of President Trump's list of proposed SCOTUS justices would overturn Roe v. Wade and threaten our fundamental rights. I'll fight to make sure there are no hearings to replace Justice Kennedy until after the election. This is our democracy. Let’s fight like it. pic.twitter.com/LqPkFrEtin
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 28, 2018
The Supreme Court has addressed many issues about abortion rights, as have city and state officials and those at the federal level. Donald Trump said women who choose not to have an abortion should be punish.
And that man will now select another SCOTUS justice who could be in his seat for 40-45 years.
Featured image via Getty/Justin Sullivan