MINNEAPOLIS – Democratic Senate candidate Richard Painter went on a Twitter tirade this weekend, claiming Justice Anthony Kennedy may have been paid to retire by President Donald Trump.
“The circumstances of Justice Kennedy’s resignation must be investigated by the Senate Judiciary Committee before any replacement is considered, Painter alleged on Twitter. “The Constitution does not give Trump the power to use underhanded means to induce Supreme Court resignations.”
The circumstances of Justice Kennedy’s resignation must be investigated by the Senate Judiciary Committee before any replacement is considered. The Constitution does not give Trump the power to use underhanded means to induce Supreme Court resignations.https://t.co/S6m5oLg9mV
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 30, 2018
Painter’s tweet was in response to a story from the New York Times which alleged “in subtle and not so subtle ways, the White House waged a quiet campaign to ensure that Mr. Trump had a second opportunity” to appoint a Supreme Court justice.
No hearing for Judge Garland.
Putin’s hand in the election.
President violating the Constitution.
Suspicions about the Kennedy resignation.
And we’re supposed to worry about the magic of the number nine?— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) July 1, 2018
Painter did not provide factual basis for the allegations.
While claiming the “fix was in” regarding the Supreme Court opening, Painter also circled back to the primary focus of his campaign: impeaching Trump. Painter called for Trump’s impeachment saying the president “is in blatant violation of the Constitution.”
“I have had it with appeasement of aspiring dictators,” Painter wrote on Twitter.
NO new Supreme Court nominations by Trump to replace Justice Kennedy. NONE. He is in blatant violation of the Constitution and must be impeached. Senate and House Judiciary Committee hearings are way past due. I have had it with appeasement of aspiring dictators.
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 27, 2018
Painter declared any senator who would “even consider” a Supreme Court nomination from Trump is an “accomplice or a coward.”
What senator would even consider a Supreme Court nomination from a president whose fitness is so much in question before the House and Senate Judiciary committees complete the impeachment inquiry they are duty bound to undertake under the Constitution?
An accomplice or a coward.— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 27, 2018
Painter also used his Twitter to attack several of Trump’s potential nominees, including Amy Coney Barrett. Painter attacked Barrett’s association with The 700 Club and the Christian Broadcasting Network, calling it a “fringe organization with very authoritarian characteristics” and “a cult of authoritarian religious extremism.”
Despite his disapproval for Trump’s potential nominees, Painter refused to name any candidates he would find more suitable. Instead, Painter maintained the Senate should not consider a Supreme Court nominee until impeachment hearings take place.
Not happening.
Under the “McConnell rule” (used to block Judge Garland) the Senate does not consider a SCOTUS nominee during a president’s last year in office.
If Congress does its job this IS Trump’s last year in office.https://t.co/IreJl9MSai— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 27, 2018
I won’t urge Trump to put forth any Supreme Court nominee. I urge him to resign. Pence too. If they don’t, they will wish they had come next January.
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) June 28, 2018
Painter, a former Republican who served as the chief ethics lawyer for the George W. Bush administration, is hoping to fill former Sen. Al Franken’s seat. Painter has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, appearing frequently on CNN and MSNBC to criticize the Trump administration.
Before Painter will be on the ballot in November he will have to face Sen. Tina Smith, Gov. Mark Dayton’s temporary replacement for Franken. Painter lost the DFL endorsement to Smith. The two will face off in the August 14 primary.
