Trump Is Clear, He Wants A Justice Who Will End Roe v Wade;
Therefore Burden of Proof Is On Any Nominee To Proactively Prove They Will Protect Roe v Wade And Not Criminalize Abortion
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2018
Contact: [email protected]
Donald Trump has been crystal clear. He has a litmus test for his Supreme Court nominee: end Roe v Wade.
He said it repeatedly during his campaign. We believe him. The question is, do Senators?
Already some Senators and right-wing activists, led by by the Federalist Society’s Leonard Leo, are saying none of the judges on Trump’s short list have a demonstrated record on Roe v Wade or abortion.
First and foremost, that is not true. Many people on Trump’s short list have been active in the the anti-choice movement for years (more here).
Second, and equally as important, that must not be the standard. Since Trump has been crystal clear on his position on only appointing Justices who will end Roe v Wade, and since we know this seat is the difference between upholding Roe and criminalizing abortion and punishing women, the burden of proof must be on the nominee to proactively prove they will protect Roe v Wade and not criminalize abortion.
Nominees to the Supreme Court prepare for years to be in the position to be nominated. In doing so, they actively hide their positions or take pains to not have to take stands on so-called “hot button” issues like abortion.
Just a simple examination of their record is not enough. Under normal circumstances it wouldn’t be enough. But it is certainly not enough when Donald Trump has been crystal clear on what he wants and expects from his nominee.
The burden of proof is on the nominee. And until he or she proves that they will proactively protect Roe v Wade, no Senator, and particularly no Senators who consider themselves pro-choice, should vote for them.