The US ‘judicial wars’ have just begun

The death of the U.S. Supreme Court’s eldest member, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was formally announced. There had been many rumors about the passing of Ginsburg, who was undergoing cancer treatment for the past two years. Thus she had resorted to go outside every now and then just to prove that she was still alive. Conservatives had long since claimed that Ginsburg’s illness impaired her from performing her judicial duties. According to that view, Ginsburg should have given up her seat. Justice Ruth, who was nominated by Bill Clinton back in 1993, was the most popular liberal name on the Supreme Court. For liberals however, the name Ginsburg came to represent a household name.

Judges are nominated by U.S. presidents and confirmed by the Senate after a vote before assuming their duties. For conservatives who think they had lost the “culture wars” the Supreme Court is of the utmost importance. The fact that judges are appointed for life makes it even more critical. Currently, there are five conservatives and four liberals on the Supreme Court. Before the Trump presidency, liberals constituted the majority. The two conservative candidates Trump nominated for the two vacant seats have tipped the scales.

Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative candidate nominated by Trump for confirmation by the Senate caused such a stir. Democrats pushed back against appointing Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault. However, they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Ginsburg’s death will only open the door to more discussions in the U.S., which is preparing to hold elections, on whether the country should prepare for yet another term by a Republican president.

Back in February 2016, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed confirming a new Supreme Court candidate after a seat had become vacant following the death of judge Antonio Scalia until the November elections. Scalia had passed away eight months before the presidential elections. Now there’s less than 45 days left to election day. However, McConnell thus raised eyebrows when he stated that the Senate will confirm the candidate that Trump will nominate at once.

Winning the bid for re-election is not a done deal for Trump. It’s also looking possible for Democrats to secure a majority at the Senate. It’s for this reason that Republicans and Conservatives want to act quickly. Ginsburg’s death has added more fuel to the “culture wars.” For Evangelist and Catholic conservatives, appointing a sixth conservative in the Supreme Court will determine the fate of these raging wars.

Ginsburg, who was known for her disdain for Trump, had told those close to her before dying that her last wish was to stay alive until a new president is elected. She was worried about a development that would reverse the gains made by the liberal wing at the Supreme Court. It’s for that reason Ginsburg’s last wish represents a sort of will for Democrats and Liberals.

On Sept. 9, Trump unveiled a list of 20 names that he’s thinking of appointing to the Supreme Court and other Federal courts should he win the bid for reelection. His list is comprised of such conservative names that it was devised with the intention of outraging Liberals. Democrats are even more concerned about the rumors pushed by “The Federalist Society” magazine that claimed the list was prepared by an umbrella group of radical conservative lawyers.

Another striking characteristic is the fact that all of the names on Trump’s list are young in age. Thus he’s trying to make sure that the conservative electorate is even more bound to the November elections. Confirming a candidate to the Supreme Court who is under 50 years of age will help guarantee a conservative majority for a very long time.

The Supreme Court is extremely important for the “Gun Lobby” that defends the individual’s right to bear arms. Republicans consider individual armament to be a sacred right. They’re very closely watching any changes the Supreme Court might make that could restrict the right to individual armament. The same goes for issues such as “migrants” and “racist” policies. In that vein, Ginsburg’s death will be the trigger for the U.S.’s upcoming judicial wars.