The Trump Victory campaign hosted a press call Monday with Republican Party of Virginia Finance Chairman and former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore to discuss Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
President Trump nominated Barrett this past Saturday. Democrats express concerns that her appointment will be the catalyst for ending Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Kilgore argued that Barrett’s history of adhering to precedent should shutter those concerns. The former attorney general stated that her past is proof that “she wants to interpret what is written in the law, not create laws.”
“She has a proven record that President Trump has promised that he would appoint justices to be like. She’s already served this court with distinction and honor on the Seventh Circuit. Before going to the Seventh Circuit, she was a distinguished law professor at Notre Dame. When she was nominated by President Trump in 2017 for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, she received bipartisan support from a group of law professors that urged the Senate to confirm Judge Barrett.”
In an interview with The Virginia Star, Kilgore shared that Barrett’s nomination was a long time coming.
“A lot of us were looking to the President, hoping he would nominate her last time instead of Kavanaugh [in 2018]. She carried herself so well during her 2017 hearing for the 7th Circuit Court, and she was a former clerk for Justice Scalia. She is a favorite justice for many conservatives throughout the nation.”
Kilgore emphasized the importance of Barrett’s esteemed reputation amongst her Notre Dame Law School colleagues. He added that her experience as a mother of seven offers a new depth of insight the court has yet to offer.
“She was first in her class at Notre Dame, and then she went on to teach there. Every faculty member voted for her. You can’t get faculty members to agree on anything! She’s just a likeable person that cares about everyone. She’s a new perspective we’ve never had. I think it’s going to be a good perspective for the nation.”
The press call also featured Appalachian School of Law Dean of Students and law professor, Judge Chad Dotson.
Dotson characterized Barrett as “extremely intelligent, extremely thoughtful” and career-long commitment to the Constitution and rule of law; “an intellectual heavyweight” in that regard.
“You look at her philosophy, and how she approaches the task of being a judge, and this is where I think she is an incredible nominee for the United States Supreme Court,” Dotson stated. “She noted upon accepting the nomination that Scalia’s judicial philosophy in mind – the judge must apply the law as written, judges are not policymakers, they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views. And that’s very important for someone who’s sat on the bench and now engages in these Constitutional issues.”
Dotson shared with The Virginia Star the story of Laura Wolk, the first blind clerk in the U.S. Supreme Court. Wolk was one of Barrett’s students at Notre Dame Law School.
“Barrett is the reason she’s there. Amy took an interest in her when she was at Notre Dame. She helped [Wolken] acquire the resources she needed – basically, she told her, ‘This is my problem now – you step away and I’ll handle it.'”
On the topic of the heated national debate over Barrett’s approach to abortion and healthcare laws, Dotson concurred with Kilgore’s take on Barrett.
“She’s going to adhere to precedence – but she’s not going to legislate from the bench. Judge Barrett does not believe she’s a super legislator. She is a model of a fair, impartial, and sympathetic judge.”
Confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin October 12th.
– – –
Corinne Murdock is a journalist at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jerry Kilgore” by Cozen O’Conner.
