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When judicial and potential executive powers collide: Ginsburg v. Trump

Supreme Court of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg commented on presidential nominee Donald Trump. The 83-year-old Judge publicly shared her opposing views of Donald Trump, who in turn retaliated on Twitter calling her to step down.

Once again, the billionaire popular presidential candidate gives a concrete example of the saying: any publicity is good publicity. There have been many who have felt Trump’s criticisms and this week it appears Judge Ginsburg is the next target.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, celebrating her 20th anniversary on the bench, is photographed in the West conference room at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Friday, August 30, 2013. Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post via Getty Images

During an interview with the New York Times, Judge Ginsburg openly gave her opinion on a Trump-run Oval Office, saying that it was something she dares not even think about. According to McClatchy DC, when questioned about her comments, the Judge refused to take them back and even elaborated further calling the billionaire a “faker” and that “he has no consistency about him. He says whatever comes into his head at the moment. He really has an ego.”

This left the favorite candidate feeling outraged saying he could not believe she would say something of that caliber. He called her a disgrace to the Supreme Court of Justice.

Was Judge Ginsburg out of line?

On the one hand, the Judge was exercising her freedom of speech, one of the crucial principles of the Land of the Free. She was expressing her disdain toward the candidate whom she honestly feels, along with numerous others in and outside American borders, does not have the capacity to lead the United States of America. Her opinion on his hot-tempered and immature manner of speaking before genuine reflection has occurred a quality that a leader of a nation should not possess. His controversial comments on women and immigration are further examples of his lack of diplomacy and understanding.

On the other, as much as Ginsburg as an American citizen is entitled to freedom of expression and many share her sentiments concerning the candidate, her authoritative position at the Supreme Court of Justice requires that she remain neutral, at least publicly, about political matters.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that the Judge should not have given her personal insight on American elections and that what she said about Trump was inappropriate. He added that her criticisms raise questions about the objectivity of the Supreme Court. Also, House Speaker Paul Ryan claimed that her comments were biased, which goes against the golden principle of impartiality of any court, especially that of Supreme Justice.

However, former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, agreed with the Judge on Wednesday, after endorsing Hillary Clinton the day before, but refused to comment on whether her statements were lacking in the decorum expected of a person of her position.

There appear to be numerous people from public figures, citizens to non-US individuals who are not for a Trump presidency. Simultaneously, Trump still continues to surprise and rise with the help of mass Republican support. With four months to go until the moment of truth, the world is hoping that US citizens will be conscious and well-informed about their choice of vote, so as not to repeat a ‘from Brexit to Bregret’ scenario.

Source: McClatchy DC

Categories: U.S.
Daniel Contreras:
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