Obama announces Merrick Garland as Supreme Court nominee
“I have fulfilled my constitutional duty. Now it's time for the Senate to do theirs”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Barack Obama announced Merrick Garland as his nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on Wednesday morning.
The 63-year-old Garland has been the chief justice of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit since 1997. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton, working in the Justice Department where he eventually oversaw the prosecutions in the Oklahoma City Bombing.
"The one name that has come up repeatedly—from Republicans and Democrats alike—is Merrick Garland,” President Obama said from the Rose Garden.
President Obama then asked the Senate to be "fair" and consider Judge Garland, adding that the Supreme Court is supposed to be “above politics.”
“To suggest that someone as qualified and respected as Merrick Garland doesn’t even deserve a hearing would be unprecedented."
However, Senate House Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republican party members have repeatedly said that they would not consider President Obama’s nomination leading up to the announcement. During Wednesday’s Senate meeting, McConnell said that the next justice could fundamentally alter the course of the nation.
"It seems clear that President Obama made this nomination not with the intent of seeing the nominee confirmed, but in order to politicize it for purposes of the election," McConnell said.
"Instead of spending more time debating an issue where we can't agree, let's keep working to address the issues where we can," the Kentucky senator added. "The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter when it considers the qualifications of the nominee the next president nominates, whoever that might be.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments