President Trump announced Judge Neil Gorsuch as his pick for the replacement of Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court.
Gorsuch, 49, is a Harvard Law graduate who went further to achieve a Doctorate of Philosophy in Law at Oxford University. A Colorado native, Gorsuch was nominated by President George W. Bush to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2006.
Trump described Judge Gorsuch as the most qualified possible candidate. Gorsuch appears to be very compatible with the President’s conservative base.
In his followup speech, Gorsuch seemed to indicate that he was opposed to activist judges making de facto law, saying it was the job of Congress, state legislatures and voters to pass laws.
Gorsuch is noted for his conservative stand on religious freedom. In the Burwell vs Hobby Lobby case and Little Sisters of the Poor cases, Gorsuch defended the religious point of view, stating Congress can pass no law infringing upon the free exercise of religion.
“The ACA’s mandate requires them to violate their religious faith by forcing them to lend an impermissible degree of assistance to conduct their religion teaches to be gravely wrong,” he wrote, regarding Hobby Lobby.
In his book “The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia” he argues that no form of assisted suicide shoud be legal.
As a young Supreme Court Justice, Gorsuch could easily remain on in the court for 30-40 years. His decisions could have impact for much longer.
Author’s note: Gorsuch is likely the perfect choice for Trump, a highly educated, highly intellectual conservative judge whose opinions are aligned with Trump supporters. Once again, Trump has kept his promise.
But look out for the liberal response. Expect charges of racism, anti-LGBT, anti-woman or any combination of these to emerge.