Senate Democrats decide there is ‘no point’ in meeting with Trump’s Supreme Court nominee

President Donald Trump plans to announce his pick for Supreme Court at 5 p.m. on Saturday, but some Democrats have already decided that there is no point in holding a traditional meeting with her, regardless of who it is.

After Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s refusal to appoint Merrick Garland to the Court in 2016, Democrats are still furious and aren’t going down without a fight.

“This is an illegitimate nomination,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who said he had “no intention” of meeting with the nominee. “I personally have no desire to pretend it’s acceptable,” according to Politico.

“Why would you meet with somebody if you already know where they’re going to be on every case?” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

“Whatever she has to say to me, she should say it under oath,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

Despite the strong left-wing backlash, there are some Democrats who don’t see a problem in a traditional meeting. Sen. Joe Manchin has supported two of Trump’s nominees, and said he isn’t ready to ditch the traditional process, despite his own opposing view regarding a pre-election confirmation.

“I’d love to meet with a nominee. I have no problem,” said Manchin (D-W.Va.)

President Trump has narrowed his list of picks down to five, according to a phone interview with Fox and Friends on Monday.

And, his pick will be a woman.

Despite this decision, Democrats refuse to support considering a new justice before the election. But, Judiciary Committee Democrats have decided against boycotting the confirmation hearing.

At the end of the day, Democrats are scrambling to figure out a way to appropriately react to the reality they are facing.

Though it is a rarity, the decision not to meet with a nominee isn’t unheard of. While some Republicans did meet with Garland in 2016, in 2018, many Democrats refused to meet with Brett Kavanaugh because the wWhite House wouldn’t hand over certain records, according to Politico.

Despite conflicting political views, a private meeting with a nominee can be useful; “it gives moderates a chance to display bipartisanship and gives individual senators the chance to press appointees on their potential views,” according to Politico.

It is clear that a large portion of Senate Democrats are against the nomination, but most Republican senators have shown their utmost support for the President, vowing to conform the nominee as quickly as possible and shift the Court further to the right.

“The president has not even put forward a nominee yet,” said Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson. “This is pure politics from Senate Democrats and shows they do not take their constitutional duty to advise and consent seriously,” via Politico.

As of now, Trump is between Circuit Court judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa, or one of several other conservative women. But, no matter who he picks, she is likely to face rejection.

And though Democrats have made it clear that they do not plan to meet with the nominee, would the nominee realistically want to meet with them?

Knowing the nominee will face relentless backlash, most likely not!