Chip Somodevilla/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, called the president’s comments on the judiciary “demoralizing” and “disheartening” during a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a spokesman for Gorsuch confirmed.
The spokesman did not say which of Trump’s comments Gorsuch was referring to.
Trump has spoken out multiple times against a federal judge who blocked his immigration order in Washington state last week. Over the weekend, he panned Judge James Robart as a “so-called judge” and blamed him for risking national security by issuing the temporary restraining order (which applied nationwide), calling it “a terrible decision.”
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with bad intentions, can come into U.S.?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
Because the ban was lifted by a judge, many very bad and dangerous people may be pouring into our country. A terrible decision
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
Speaking to law enforcement leaders Wednesday morning, Trump suggested that the courts are acting politically. He also commented on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judges who could decide whether to lift the restraining order on his travel ban. The three-judge panel heard oral arguments last night.
“I have to be honest that, if these judges wanted to, in my opinion, help the court in terms of respect for the court, they do what they should be doing,” Trump said. “And I don’t ever want to call a court biased, so I won’t call it biased. And we haven’t had a decision yet. But courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do what’s right.”
He went on to tweet Wednesday afternoon that there’s been a “big increase in traffic” into the United States from “certain areas,” seeming to suggest that the court’s ruling should be an “easy” decision.
Big increase in traffic into our country from certain areas, while our people are far more vulnerable, as we wait for what should be EASY D!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
Gorsuch’s meeting with Blumenthal was one of six he held with senators on Capitol Hill today.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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