Neil
Gorsuch was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the Supreme Court,
filling the vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He
was confirmed by the Senate last week following a controversial rule
change by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to avoid a Democratic
filibuster.
Gorsuch
took took separate constitutional and judicial oaths — the latter at a
public swearing-in ceremony at the White House Rose Garden — to become
the nation’s 113th justice.
“You’re
now entrusted with the sacred duty of defending our Constitution,” a
beaming President Trump said while introducing Gorsuch. “I have no doubt
you will rise to the occasion and the decisions you will make will not
only protect our Constitution today, but for many generations of
Americans to come.”
Trump thanked McConnell, who was not at the ceremony, “for all that he did to make this achievement possible.”
The
president also took the opportunity to declare that a “new optimism is
sweeping across our land” — and to boast that he was able to get Gorsuch
confirmed within his first 100 days in office.
“Spring
is really the perfect backdrop for this gathering of friends,” Trump
said, “because together we are in a process of reviewing and renewing
and also rebuilding our country.”
The 49-year-old Colorado native thanked Trump, who nominated Gorsuch on Jan. 31, for showing “confidence” in him
Justice Anthony Kennedy, whom Gorsuch once clerked for, administered the judicial oath.
It’s
the first time a justice has served alongside a former law clerk on the
high court — something Trump thought was especially “good.”
“It shows you have a lot of respect,” Trump said to Gorsuch.
The newest justice said his appointment to the Supreme Court “has reminded me just how outrageously blessed that I am.”
Gorsuch also paid tribute to Scalia, whose family was looking on.
“The seat I inherit today is that of a very, very, very great man,” he said.
After he was sworn in, Trump shook Gorsuch’s hand and told him, “Go get ’em.”
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