Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court nominee, on Monday (March 20) emphasized the need for judicial independence.
Speaking publicly for the first time since Trump nominated him on Jan. 31, Gorsuch defended his record as judge in the face of criticism of his rulings by committee Democrats. Despite slim chances of blocking his nomination in the Republican-led Senate, Democrats raised questions about Gorsuch’s suitability for the court.
Gorsuch emphasized the need for “neutral and independent judges to apply the law in the people’s disputes” and warned against judicial overreach.
The ideological leaning of the court could be pivotal in determining the outcome of a wide array of matters including the death penalty, abortion, gun control, environmental regulations, transgender rights, voting rights, immigration, religious liberty, presidential powers and others.
(REUTERS)
