The Note: Trump Goes With Gorsuch

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.

February 1, 2017

MORE POLITICS >

Trump Goes With Gorsuch

The Big Story

There's nothing like a Supreme Court selection to get Washington back on its respective sides. President Trump's selection of Judge Neil Gorsuch had an immediate effect of galvanizing and unifying conservatives to the side of the White House, after a 12-day span that was already straining friendships and fraying bonds. ("Lyin' Ted" is thrilled, and so is John McCain, just a day or so after the president mused aloud about the senator's desire to start World War III.) Trump decided to essentially outsource his first Supreme Court pick to the groups for whom the issue is paramount. In other words, he let the pros decide. Making a list – and sticking to it - may go down as the single smartest thing he did in his campaign, and in his early presidency.

The Sleeper Story

So most members of Congress had no idea the travel ban was coming, but a handful of congressional staffers helped the Trump administration write it? And they signed non-disclosure agreements so they wouldn't even be able to tell their bosses (members of Congress, and, ultimately, US taxpayers) about the side work? And everyone is OK with this? The disclosure that staffers on Rep. Robert Goodlatte's House Judiciary Committee worked alongside Trump aides on this order should be rocking Capitol Hill. It suggests that the administration was trying to work as quickly as it could and as quietly as feasible – a potentially troubling template for the future. If members of Congress aren't troubled by this, they're missing a big warning sign for the separation of powers.

The Shiny Story

Democrats are fired up, yet not sure where they're about to go. The pressure will be intense – from the grassroots, the would-be party chairs, and liberal House members (who don't get a vote, of course) – to do anything they can to block Gorsuch from the Supreme Court, up to and including the filibuster. The fresh and tangible issue of the travel ban gives them urgency, as if the usual abortion-rights and corporations-vs.-people fights wouldn't be enough. But does Sen. Chuck Schumer want to waste the filibuster (and send the Republicans nuclear) over a pick that doesn't change the balance of the court? Knowing that Trump could easily get a few more selections that will carry more weight? The voices from the outside will be loud, but the players in the inside game may have different ideas.

TLDR

Last night in a prime time ceremony, the president revealed his nominee for the Supreme Court: Judge Neil Gorsuch. Republicans are united in their praise, but Democrats need to decide how big of a battle they want to wage. Trump could have more vacancies ahead of him and those could tilt the balance of the court, while this one does not. Do Dems want to save their fight for then or not?

Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court

President Donald Trump has nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch as his pick to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Gorsuch, 49, is currently a judge on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2006 and confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote. "The qualifications of Judge Gorsuch are beyond dispute," Trump said in his introduction of Gorsuch in the East Room of the White House last night. Trump described Gorsuch as someone "who loves our Constitution and someone who will interpret them as written." ABC's MEGHAN KENEALLY, GENEVA SANDS and AUDREY TAYLOR has more. http://abcn.ws/2kPauFo

Inside the Selection Process for Trump's Supreme Court Pick

Donald Trump's pick for his Supreme Court nominee was long-anticipated -- a move that was closely watched by observers on both sides of the aisle to replace the late Antonin Scalia. True to Trump form and his reality show background, the president made the announcement in a widely touted primetime show in the East Room of the White House. Speculation earlier in the day had coalesced around two main candidates, Judge Thomas Hardiman, and Trump's eventual pick, Judge Neil Gorsuch, and there was some reporting that both men had come to Washington to await the president's decision. ABC's JORDYN PHELPS notes how the selection process unfolded and the lengths the White House went to to keep the selection under wraps. http://abcn.ws/2jBlt03

What You Need to Know About Judge Neil Gorsuch

Gorsuch, 49, is currently a judge on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Gorsuch is the youngest Supreme Court nominee in about 25 years. ABC's AUDREY TAYLOR and GENEVA SANDS note what you need to know about the potential Supreme Court justice: http://abcn.ws/2juwqnj

ANALYSIS: Donald Trump Forces Defining Moment for His Presidency – and the Nation

It took only a week in office for President Trump to deliver the kind of message that can't be ignored. His executive order imposing a broad travel ban impacting those coming from seven nations tells the world that the United States has a new posture on the world stage. In appearing to make good on the bold action he promised, Trump is signaling a new era to go with the new brand of leadership he brought to the office. And it took only hours after that order was issued for the nation to become engulfed in a defining debate about national security, compassion and what it means to be American. The chaotic aftermath of the president's move could have consequences for the rest of Trump's tenure -- and beyond, ABC's RICK KLEIN writes. http://abcn.ws/2kIwdLG

Happening on the Hill

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly is expected to visit Capitol Hill today to brief the bipartisan leaders of the House and the Senate, as well as the top members on the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees, on the president's immigration E.O, ABC's ALI ROGIN and JORDYN PHELPS notes. The Senate will vote on the floor today to confirm Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao (she's expected to sail through) and the relevant committees will hold their votes to report out the nominations of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, HHS Secretary Tom Price and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Republicans on Capitol Hill will mostly likely face questions today on what they think about Trump canning acting AG Sally Yates over her refusal to enforce the immigration executive order, including when House Speaker Paul Ryan holds a press conference at 10 AM today.