Jeffrey Toobin: “There should be no doubt about why Barrett, barring any late-breaking surprises, would be chosen. Much of the commentary about her selection would focus on the issue of abortion, and her likely role in overturning Roe v. Wade. During the 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to appoint Justices who would vote to overrule that landmark, and with his three selections, including Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, he appears to have delivered.”
“Still, it’s worth remembering the real priorities of Trump and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, in this nomination. They’re happy to accommodate the anti-abortion base of the Republican Party, but an animating passion of McConnell’s career has been the deregulation of political campaigns. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision brought the issue to wide public attention, but McConnell has been crusading about it for decades. He wants the money spigot kept open, so that he can protect his Senate majority and the causes for which it stands…”
“Barrett is a product of this movement, and not just because she clerked for Scalia. Her writings and early rulings reflect it.”
For members only: A Briefing with Jeffrey Toobin.
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