President Donald Trump’s supporters in Swanton, Ohio, expressed their desire for him to fill the new vacancy on the Supreme Court.
During a rally on Monday night, Trump began to address the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg when supporters interrupted with chants of “fill that seat.”
“As our nation mourns the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I will soon announce a nominee for the United States Supreme Court,” he said, adding, “They say it’s the most important thing a president can do.”
The crowd continued to chant “fill that seat” and wave signs that had the slogan on them.
“We will fill that seat … probably announce the person … I don’t want to make the men too angry, it will be a woman,” he added.
Watch the moment below:
Before RBG’s memorial service has even occurred, Trump basks in “fill that seat!” chants at his rally in Swanton, Ohio pic.twitter.com/WB3EEEGcZr
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2020
CBS News’ White House Correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted that the president’s campaign distributed signs that read “fill that seat” at the rally.
Trump Campaign handed out “fill that seat!” signs to supporters at Ohio rally to back Trump nomination to the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/QlG8A09dbW
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) September 22, 2020
As he left the White House on Monday, Trump revealed that he had narrowed down the list of potential nominees to five women and would announce his nominee later this week.
While Trump said he wants to fill the vacancy before the presidential election, Democrats have urged their Republican colleagues in the Senate against holding a confirmation vote before the election.
Former President Barack Obama (D) cited Senate Republicans’ decision to hold up his Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garlandm in 2016 due to that year’s upcoming president election.
In a statement, Obama said, “Four and a half years ago, when Republicans refused to hold a hearing or an up-or-down vote on Merrick Garland, they invented the principle that the Senate shouldn’t fill an open seat on the Supreme Court before a new president was sworn in.”
“A basic principle of the law — and of everyday fairness — is that we apply rules with consistency, and not based on what’s convenient or advantageous in the moment,” he added.
