On Feb. 13, 2016, 79 year old Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away. Justice Scalia had served on the Supreme Court for over 29 years. Scalia had ongoing health issues, and was found dead at a hunting resort by the resort owner. The resort owner had gone up looking for him in his room after he I did not appear for breakfast that morning. A day after his death, a statement was released that he had died from natural causes. Later that afternoon, it became questionable whether an autopsy had been done, after contradicting reports were released. After a funeral home manager was contacted, sources were told that the Justice Scalia’s family did not want one done. Since there was no official autopsy done, several conspiracy theories have been created blaming Hillary Clinton, Dick Cheney, and even Barack Obama for his death.
Justice Scalia was appointed by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1986. His conservative legal thought will have a lasting impact in the Supreme Court. Many also consider Scalia one of the funniest Supreme Court Members. His critics think that his sarcastic tone caused him to lose ties with high court moderators. However, when he was doing his job, you would see a more serious side of him. Justice Scalia himself would make jokes about himself and his multiple personalities.
The White house has confirmed that President Obama will not be attending Justice Scalia’s funeral on Saturday, February 20. When asked why he would not be at the funeral, the White House Press Secretary simply said that he would be paying his respects on Friday with his wife by his side. When asked if it was because it was because it would be conflicting with his golfing schedule, Earnest said that the president believes it is important to honor Justice Scalia’s life and service.
Since Justice Scalia has died, his seat at the Supreme Court needs to be filled. Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, thinks the vacancy should be filled by the next president. Republicans would rather wait for a new Supreme Court Justice member to be appointed, in hopes that a republican will be elected in the 2016 election. That way, a conservative Justice can fill the vacancy. However, the White House made it clear the President has the legal right to nominate a ‘well qualified candidate’ to be the new member on the Supreme Court. Obama has also clarified that there is no law stating that Supreme Court Justice’s can only be appointed during off years.
Republican leaders have pledged to block any nominee the Democratic president selects. Currently, there are four conservative and four liberal Justice member. If a liberal Justice is appointed, it would shift the power to the democrats. The Senate does have an input in appointing the next Justice, which is stated in the Constitution. President Obama and the Republicans have had issues dealing with major ambitions throughout his past seven years in the White House. Filling Justice Scalia’s seat is not expected to be any easier.
