Trump Might Fill Two Supreme Court Seats
Expect noise. A progressive activist group called Demand Justice is sounding the alarm. They say President Donald Trump could get the chance to pick two more justices for the U.S. Supreme Court before his term ends.
That possibility has sparked planning. Demand Justice is reportedly lining up millions to beat back potential nominees. They’re not waiting for vacancies. They want to be ready now.
The group is focused on two justices who are older than the rest: Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. Both are in their mid to late 70s. That puts them in the crosshairs for anyone counting possible retirements.
The New York Times noted the warning and the fundraising push. Demand Justice’s plan would start with a few million dollars and scale up if vacancies appear. The idea is to hit the ground running if a nomination happens.
Josh Orton, the president of Demand Justice, made the stakes clear in an interview. He said, “If you think that Trump is willing to leave two of the three justices he thinks are most loyal on the court in their 80s past when he leaves office, you are not paying attention.”
That quote shows how seriously they’re taking the risk. The group believes President Donald Trump would move quickly to replace justices he sees as crucial to conservative rulings.
For opponents, the memory of past confirmation fights looms large. The Kavanaugh confirmation was highly contentious. If there are two picks this year, a similar or even larger battle is likely.
There’s also fresh nervousness after reports of a recent health scare involving Justice Alito. Health developments for any justice tend to inject urgency into political planning on both sides.
Bottom line: activists on the left are preparing big campaigns to oppose possible nominees. Supporters of conservative picks are gearing up too. If two openings do appear, the confirmation fights could dominate the news cycle.