Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court called the President’s attack on a federal judge “demoralizing” and “disheartening,” according to reports.
Judge Neil Gorsuch responded to Trump’s attack during a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), according to CNN. Over the weekend, Trump lashed out against Judge James Robart, who temporarily suspended the President’s immigration executive order, calling him a “so-called judge.”
“He said very specifically that they were demoralizing and disheartening and he characterized them very specifically that way,” Blumenthal said of Gorsuch, according to CNN. “I said they were more than disheartening and I said to him that he has an obligation to make his views clear to the American people, so they understand how abhorrent or unacceptable President Trump’s attacks on the judiciary are.”
CNN reported that Ron Bonjean, a spokesman for the judge during the confirmation process, confirmed that Gorsuch was referring to Trump’s using the “so-called judge” attack when he said Trump’s behavior was “demoralizing” and “disheartening.”
Bonjean and Blumenthal’s office did not immediately respond to TPM’s requests for comment.
NBC’s Bradd Jaffy posted what appeared to be a transcript of Blumenthal’s remarks following the meeting:
Trump’s SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch was “disheartened” by Trump’s “demoralizing” remarks about the judiciary, Sen. Blumenthal says after mtg pic.twitter.com/RuBfbwzOWq
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 8, 2017
SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch described Trump’s comments about the judiciary as “disheartening” and “demoralizing,” @PeteWilliamsNBC confirms
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 8, 2017
