neil gorsuch will match that. but in addition to that, what makes neil gorsuch unusual is that he wants to dismantle the difference that courts have typically played the federal agencies. it is a very technical issue but it is also very important. it goes to whether or not when the people elected -- elect the democratic president, that democratic president is going to be able to protect the environment, to protect workers, to make wages go up, or whether they will be at the mercy of a republican-controlled court. so his primary agenda is to shift power toward the judiciary at the very moment that the republican party is consolidating its control over the judiciary. and i think that leads to very dangerous places. amy: he has been hailed as a man who is deeply. i'd, a great writer, a classmate of presidentnt obama a at harvad law school. this, across the spectrum, your thoughts? >> he is a very smart guy. to some extent, that is what makes him dangerous. this is someone who is going to a great precision, great inte

the more they can try to put daylight between gorsuch and trump -- that maybe health gorsuch look -- helps gorsuch look better, but if it makes trump looked bad then democrats count that as a way. >> how can he prepare for these hearings? >> yes to be prepared for all these kind of questions. they are typically called "murder boards" at the white house where he is asked about every type of question. they've been talking about some of the answers that judge gorsuch might give to some questions put forward. that is typically the process they will go through. there areints out, some very specific questions that will be rising such as president trump's travel ban executive order especially as a new one is in the throes of being written. that thatly imagine kind of discussion will make its way into that hearing whether he wants to answer questions about that or not. >> at least a democrats need to align with the 52 republicans in the senate. do you think there will be at least eight democrats who support his nomination? >> i think the democrats are looking very closely at what their base

but judge gorsuch and a protestant. let's go to john dickerson on the set of "face the nation" in washington furst. john, what's at stake for the trump administration with this nomination? >> well, what was at stake, the biggest prize for conservatives, and i was talking to a republican just before this announcement who said, you know, there have been some concern about whether donald trump is listening to his allies in washington. but on this question, he istened. he's picked somebody who conservatives really like, and this sends a big signal to them on the-- one of the most important things that conservatives care about. why? because of control of the course court. there will be a conservative majority. of course not on every issue, but by and large. but also that judge gorsuch will be there for a long time, long after donald trump leaves the presidency. so that's why that is so important. and going back to major's point about mitch mcconnell on the night antonin scalia passed away or that it was announced, donald tru

by nominating judge neil gorsuch. >> i think judge gorsuch is a home run. >> i promise if i'm confirmed be a faithful you servant of the constitution and law us of this great country. >> it's a very hostile appointment. if you breathe air, drink water, eat food, take medicine or in any other way interact with the court. this is a very bad decision. >> are you going to use the nuclear option? >> well, let me just tell you, we're going to get this judge confirmed. >> isn't that answering it? >> we're going to get the judge confirmed. >> so you you would. >> we're goi

the more they try to put daylight between gorsuch and trump -- that helps gorsuch look better, but if it makes trump looked bad then democrats count that as a win. >> how can he prepare for these hearings? >> typically there are these "murder boards" at the white house where he is asked about every potential issue you might he asked about. they've been talking about some of the answers that judge gorsuch might give to some questions that are put forward. that is usually a process they will go through. as jeff points out, there are some very specific questions that will be rising such as trump's travel ban executive order especially as a new one is trump travel ban may be in the throes of litigation again. you can imagine that discussion will make its way to hearings. >> do you think there will be a democrats at support these arenations? >> democrats looking for what they want their base to do. they know they can't win. they want to lose in a way that the possibility of a filibuster at the tail end of the trump administration, or do they just want to show their followers, their constit

not judge gorsuch. so, he is going to basically take the laws that are passed by congress and then, rule whether they are constitutional or not because congress sometimes makes mistakes. then, when there is an argument about how to apply the law, he is going to rule in a traditional way, not in a progressive way. that is what we were talking about before the president took the mike. this is very important for everybody to understand. the progressive wing of the court, some say liberal, believes of the constitution evolves and is applied to what is happening in society at that time. example, abortion. the founding fathers would never, ever have put that into the constitution. yet, the supreme court did. they legalized abortion. that is one difference. a good difference for you to understand the mindset. the conservative traditional wing, of which anthony kennedy, who gorsuch clerked under, is in, says, no, we are going to go back to the intent of the founding fathers and the people who forged the constit

why is gorsuch the right to judge? >> he is a brilliant writer, he has a strict constructionist, he doesn't believe that judges are to make it up on the fly. they shouldn't legislate from the bench. and that is the kind of judge i think people would like to have in a position like that, not somebody who has cut favorites or plays favorites in trying to reach decisions to reinforce their political biases. this guy is a truly outstanding choice. >> bret: house minority leader nancy pelosi was just on air a short time ago, and she said this about the appointment. >> it is a very hostile opponen opponent, well meant, lovely family, i'm sure, but as far as your family is concerned, if you breathe the air, drink water, take medicine, or in any other way to interact with the court, this is a very bad decision. while outside the mainstream of american legal thought. not committed to supreme court precedent. >> bret: went into great detail about women's issues and other issues as well. >> well, it's not the justices drop to pla

why is gorsuch the right to judge? >> he is a brilliant writer, he has a strict constructionist, he doesn't believe that judges are to make it up on the fly. they shouldn't legislate from the bench. and that is the kind of judge i think people would like to have in a position like that, not somebody who has cut favorites or plays favorites in trying to reach decisions to reinforce their political biases. this guy is a truly outstanding choice. >> bret: house minority leader nancy pelosi was just on air a short time ago, and she said this about the appointment. >> it is a very hostile opponen opponent, well meant, lovely family, i'm sure, but as far as your family is concerned, if you breathe the air, drink water, take medicine, or in any other way to interact with the court, this is a very bad decision. while outside the mainstream of american legal thought. not committed to supreme court precedent. >> bret: went into great detail about women's issues and other issues as well. >> well, it's not the justices drop to pla

gorsuch. here are his room. [applause] vice pres. pence: thank you, all. and thank you, gene, for your great leadership of the federalist. give gene a round of applause. [applause] vice pres. pence: thank you for the warm introduction. to my friend, leonard leo, everybody, is in the house. [applause] vice pres. pence: ambassador gray, members of the federalist society, honored guests, it's a privilege to be with you. it's a privilege to be with you here in this place, and congress hall, at such a time as this in the life of our nation. i bring you greetings and i'm here today on behalf of the president of the united states of america, donald trump, who appreciates -- [applause] vice pres. pence: -- the federalist society and all that it stands for. it's truly humbling to be in this position and to be in this place today. thank all of you, members of the federalist society, or your support and work over the past year. it was quite a campaign but it has already been quite an administration, am i

they knew that judges gorsuch was on the case. he read all the briefs, cases, statutes cited in those briefs, he interpreted the law based on what it said, rather than what he wished it said. that's exactly the kind of judge we need and all of our courts and especially on supreme court. >> jenna: it's interesting to have that perspective. the editorial in "the new york times" saying he's going to be going for a stolen seat, that's what it continually is being repeated by the other side. what's your response to that? >> i understand that they wish that president obama have been able to get his nominee confirmed. i also understand that elections have consequences. this was a vacancy that arose during a presidential election year. i think it arose a few months before the country voted and decided who the next president would be. at the last election, and they also failed to grasp the majority in the senate. now president trump is put forward this nominee, he's next ordinary judge, i challenge any of them to read his opinions and find

i think judge gorsuch is a home run. he is faithful to the constitution, following the law, protecting our bill rights and i think his record will yield a swift confirmation in the senate. >> reporter: you've seep the partisanship the last several days. is this thing jeff gorsuch can overcome? you have democrats holding up the nominee ace cross the president's cabinet picks. >> no doubts the democrats are engaged in unprecedented partisan obstruction. i hope they won't engage in that for the supreme court. i would suggest the democrats should apply the standard, what's changed from a decade ago when they were willing to confirm him then to the court of appeals? it is possible that democrats will choose to obstruct. there are some senate democrats who might be counted on to filibuster any supreme court nominee. >> reporter: what happens at that point? nuclear option? >> the democrats will not succeed in filibustering judge gorsuch. they may try but won't succeed. the senate will confirm a strong constitutionalist to repla

now we know it's neil gorsuch. is that an appointment the republicans will be pleased with as opposed to going to someone pleased with as opposed to going to someone else equally conservative? the republicans were going to be happy with any of the finalists. they were all acceptable to the vast majority of republicans. the debate among republicans was which one was the most conservative. they really weren't sure. many of them picked gorsuch because his mother actually served in ronald reagan's cabinet and was very conservative and actually had to resign for various reasons, she was the head of the epa. they are familiar with the gorsuch family and they believe he will uphold the family tradition. larry sbata, we thank you for your time and we appreciate your reaction to the breaking news that donald trump has appointed neil gorsuch. —— sabato. trump has appointed neil gorsuch. —— sa bato. let's listen trump has appointed neil gorsuch. —— sabato. let's listen to the moment donald trump made the announcem

serious doubts on judge gorsuch's ability to meet this standard."if yesterday is any indication, senate democrats aren't exactly feeling cooperative right now when it comes to trump nominees. so another battle will be on tap but it will largely be on schumer to determine how hard senate democrats push back on this particular supreme court nomination -- and weigh what the end results might be. in washington, i'm karin caifa. and we have team coverage of president trump's supreme court nominee. anny hong shows us how bay area political analysts are reacting to the pick.... anny? democrats are vowing to delay the process for confirming judge neil gorsuch to the supreme court... and political experts say it's not because he isn't qualified... but because donald trump picked him. there is still tension after former president barack obama nominated merrick garland... who wasn't considered at all by the republicans. some say gorsuch is a lot like his predecessor... the late justice antonin scalia. standup and u-s senator kamala harris also responded to the

last night, the president nominated judge neil gorsuch. we in the senate have a to examinenal duty his record robustly, exhaustively, and comprehensively. we need to revise its consent if we see fit -- and

that was made difficult by the nomination of an outstanding candidate like judge gorsuch. so our colleague came up with a new supermajority standard for his confirmation, a sthanders that -- a standard that didn't exist for seven of the eight justices currently on the court. a fact my friend later had to admit. the democratic double standard on required nominees to prejudge issues is just the latest attempt to come up with something, with anything -- anything -- to justify opposing an exceptional nominee like judge gorsuch. judge gorsuch is one of the most impressive, most highly qualified nominees to come before us ever. he's won kudos from across the political specter. even the top democrat on the judiciary committee couldn't help but prays hi -- but praise him. our new president has nominated a thoughtful jurist. democrats are viewing this nominee as a political problem. their base is demanding total resistance to everything, but they can't find a good reason to oppose judge gorsuch on the merits. they're in a pickle, mr. president. so we have this attempt to replace th

gorsuch, judge gorsuch has shown disdain for the use of the courtroom to vindicate fundamental rights, a viewpoint that should be anathema to anyone in the legal system but is particularly inappropriate for somebody who seeks a seat on the highest court in the land. because of this, women are duly worried about the preservation of their rights and equality, as is the lgbt community. with an administration that has already challenged fundamental american rights and will do so again, the courtroom must be a place where those rights can be vindicated. as senators, we are endowed with an awesome power to judge whether this man, judge gorsuch, has the right to a title that is higher than all the others in our judicial system, the title of justice. therefore, we must be absolutely certain that this person is a strong, mainstream candidate who has respect for rule of law in the application of basic constitutional rights to all americans, a deference to precedent, a nonideological approach to the court and the resolve to be a bulwark against the constitutional encroaches of this administratio

i still think the issue really, despite all the attention to gorsuch, is not about gorsuch. it's really about garland and how did democrats extract, if they can't get a pound of flesh for what was done to garland, an ounce of flesh or a speck of flesh over that. it is a combination of that issue and this question of what happens for the next nominee. >> what can we expect when that gavel comes down for the judiciary committee? on march 20? >> i think for the republicans it will be a complete lovefest for judge gorsuch. the democrats are still trying to figure out what to do because they don't have the votes to stop him. if they invoke a filibuster, the odds are very strong that the republicans will eliminate the procedure and put him on the ourt anyway. i think as josh said, it will be very much not about judge gorsuch but about judge garland. even more so, i think it will be about president trump. i think the democrats will see judge gorsuch as an opportunity to bring up many of the things that trump has said and done and put gorsuch on the spot as to whether he would suppo

of the meeting with gorsuch. obviously this now emerging as a major issue in this supreme court nomination fight. for more, i want to bring in kelly o'donnell at the white house. so kelly, take us through this. one thing i am curious about. is there room for there to be two interpretations of the event where blumenthal asks a specific question, gorsuch tries to provide an answer and they each have a different understanding of the answer? >> what's notable about what the president said is he used the word misrepresent or misrepresenting four times in a matter of seconds and made two references to his sort of attack on richard blumenthal, democrat of connecticut about his vietnam. he corrected it but has paid a political price for it over time. this is something the president is bringing back up now to discredit blumenthal and his account. day seanpicer is saying what the nominee to the supreme court was talking about was a broader topic. and yet, it appears it would be in the context of the most recent comments fr

last night, the president nominated judge neil gorsuch. we in the senate have a to examinenal duty his record robustly, exhaustively, and comprehensively. we need to revise its consent if consent if weand see fit. we democrats will insist on a rigorous but fair process. there will be 60 votes for confirmation. anyone member can require it, many democrats already have. .t is the right thing to do on the subject is important -- as important as the supreme court nomination, bipartisanship should be essential. that is what 60 votes does. .hat is nothing new it was a varmint by each of president obama's nominations. in my mind, 60 votes is the appropriate way to go. whether there is a democratic president or republican president. democratic republican senate -- senate.lican because a 60 vote threshold is essential, those who say at the -- process ross is a that there are only two possible willts -- that the senate confirm this nominee or the republicans will use the nuclear option to confirm their choice are dead wrong. that is a false choice.

if the name gorsuch is unusual to him, his mother ann gorsuch was appointed e. pap.a. the administrator. >> the democrats would oppose anyone they think is out of the main stream. looking at what we know about judge gorsuch, is that an easy one for the democrats to block? >> in a normal political environment, i would say no. the antagonistic relationship that already seems to be between senate democrats and the trump white house. this should be a layup. he meets all the criteria. but i think this is going to be a noisy confirmation. it will get confirmed but it will be noisy. i have to say, i thought he made an incredible first impression and i think he will make very good one-on-one impression with a lot of the democratic senators. i think it will be much harder for them to unify and be against and force a filibuster after he spends one-on-one time with them. >> we'll be hearing a lot about judge gorsuch in the days and weeks to come and there will be coverage of this in your late local news. for our entire team, i'm lester holt. nbc news, new york. we've just heard .

why is gorsuch the right to judge? >> he is a brilliant writer, he has a strict constructionist, he doesn't believe that judges are to make it up on the fly. they shouldn't legislate from the bench. and that is the kind of judge i think people would like to have in a position like that, not somebody who has cut favorites or plays favorites in trying to reach decisions to reinforce their political biases. this guy is a truly outstanding choice. >> bret: house minority leader nancy pelosi was just on air a short time ago, and she said this about the appointment. >> it is a very hostile opponen opponent, well meant, lovely family, i'm sure, but as far as your family is concerned, if you breathe the air, drink water, take medicine, or in any other way to interact with the court, this is a very bad decision. while outside the mainstream of american legal thought. not committed to supreme court precedent. >> bret: went into great detail about women's issues and other issues as well. >> well, it's not the justices drop to pla

gorsuch. [applause] i can say with the utmost confidence, judge gorsuch is a worthy successor to justice antonin scalia. by the grace of god and with what i know will be the tireless efforts of everyone in this room, i believe neil gorsuch will soon take his seat as an associate justice on the supreme court of the united states. [applause] vice pres. pence: when you get down to it, judge gorsuch, plain and simple, is one of the most mainstream, respected, and exceptionally qualified supreme court nominees in american history. don't take my word for it. that was the conclusion of the american bar association in 2006. after president george w. bush nominated him to the tenth circuit court of appeals, the american bar association gave him the highest possible recommendation. and the united states senate agreed. only two months after his nomination, the senate confirmed him by a unanimous voice vote. and nearly a third of those senators on both sides of the aisle are still serving in the senate to

last night, the president nominated judge neil gorsuch. we in the senate have a to examinenal duty his record robustly, exhaustively, and comprehensively. we need to revise its consent if consent if weand see fit. we democrats will insist on a rigorous but fair process. there will be 60 votes for confirmation. anyone member can require it, many democrats already have. .t is the right thing to do on the subject is important -- as important as the supreme court nomination, bipartisanship should be essential. that is what 60 votes does. .hat is nothing new it was a varmint by each of president obama's nominations. in my mind, 60 votes is the appropriate way to go. whether there is a democratic president or republican president. democratic republican senate -- senate.lican because a 60 vote threshold is essential, those who say at the -- process ross is a that there are only two possible willts -- that the senate confirm this nominee or the republicans will use the nuclear option to confirm their choice are dead wrong. that is a false choice.

in fact, i -- gorsuch. in fact, there was a report that at judge gorsuch, then neil gorsuch when he was nominated to the tenth circuit court, his confirmation hearing only had a few people attended. i think lindsey graham was one of the senators to attend his confirmation hearing. i believe senator leahy, our colleague from vermont submitted questions for the record. but very few people attended his confirmation hearing because of the high kal better and -- caliber and high quality of the nomination. he had praise from salazar that he is fair. judge gorsuch is an faithful defender of the constitution. and has the temperament to serve on the highest court. judge tpwoeufp recognizes that the -- gorsuch recognizes that the supreme court is not a place for experimentation and efforts. as i said, this overweaning addiction to the courtroom is bad for the country and bad for the judiciary. as a society we lose the benefit of the give and take of the political process and the flexibility of social experimentation

gorsuch, judge gorsuch has shown disdain for the use of the courtroom to vindicate fundamental rights, a viewpoint that should be anathema to anyone in the legal system but is particularly inappropriate for somebody who seeks a seat on the highest court in the land. because of this, women are duly worried about the preservation of their rights and equality, as is the lgbt community. with an administration that has already challenged fundamental american rights and will do so again, the courtroom must be a place where those rights can be vindicated. as senators, we are endowed with an awesome power to judge whether this man, judge gorsuch, has the right to a title that is higher than all the others in our judicial system, the title of justice. therefore, we must be absolutely certain that this person is a strong, mainstream candidate who has respect for rule of law in the application of basic constitutional rights to all americans, a deference to precedent, a nonideological approach to the court and the resolve to be a bulwark against the constitutional encroaches of this administratio

neil gorsuch, is he constipated? trust number one doctor recommended dulcolax use dulcolax tablets for gentle overnight relief suppositories for relief in minutes and stool softeners for comfortable relief of hard stools. dulcolax, designed for dependable relief so if ydead battery,t tire, need a tow or lock your keys in the car, geico's emergency roadside assistance is there 24/7. oh dear, i got a flat tire. hmmm. uh... yeah, can you find a take where it's a bit more dramatic on that last line, yeah? yeah i got it right here. someone help me!!! i have a flat tire!!! well it's good... good for me. what do you think? geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. >> tucker: most of the country is just meeting neil gorsuch for the first time tonight. what is he like as a person and for that we go to someone who has known him for at least 25 years. served as president obama's ethics czar, he was gorsuch's classmate at harvard. they both graduated alongside president obama. that was an am

gorsuch, but i am ashamed on the republican side. senators should not till the seed after 10 months last year. that's not good for the country. i am very sad about republican senators. they are not sincere with the country. they should have told this post last year, not this year. >> anthony now in brooklyn, new york, on the republican line. go ahead, anthony. >> thanks for taking my call. i am a republican. i live in brooklyn, new york. i actually am also in my final year of law school. about what ach jurist should be and how the supreme court should be filled. i think whichever side you are on -- republican, independent, democrat, a jurist like mr. gorsuch is someone who either side of the aisle can really appreciate and that we should be commended president trump for selecting for the nomination. say or as john roberts, the chief justice, andd say that judges jurists are calling balls and strikes and not necessarily making decisions that they individually agree with, but that they think as a matter of law and under the doctrine an

did the president speak directly with judge gorsuch and ask him what he meant by that? >> i won't comment on private conversations between the president and other people. >> martha: wear to the president gather that information from? >> i will tell you that they support each other. that is very fair for it to us by the president has full confidence in his supreme court nominee, neil gorsuch. we are happy that he is out there talking to the different senators and getting acclimated to the process of capitol hill. at the same time, we know that members of the judiciary have a right to speak out. the president also has a right to speak out. a time-honored tradition. our branches of government are independent and equal. but there is nothing here that is negative, and so far as the judge is free to speak his mind. i would say terrible things to your audience tonight, martha. number one, during the confirmation hearings of cabinet appointees, president trump made very clear that he respects the men and women who speak their mind and offer their own opinions under oath in thos

presumably to vote for judge gorsuch. in order to break that filibuster, he'd need eight democrats. >> yeah. >> a bunch of democrats right now already signaling they'd probably go ahead and support this nominee. you think that the filibuster would actually work? >> it may not be an issue, right? looks like you have enough on the record right now who said they'll support him or signaling they're not interested in a filibuster and moot. the filibuster long term for supreme court nominees goes away one way or another and will have some democrats argue if they have the opportunity to do it this time, why not? one argument is, they want mcconnell to own -- they want him to be the one that detonates the nuclear option. >> just like harry reid to eliminate filibuster for cabinet appointees. that's why all of the president trump's nominees need a simple majority and not 60 votes. democrats did that. paying the price for that right now. >> long term, on the filibuster, for nominees it is gone. for supreme court nominees let's be h

you can -- no, stay, stay. >> judge neil gorsuch. this is a little picture walking down the hallway to the capitol. i know kasie hunt is getting in the mix there. let's see if he makes any comments. let's listen for a moment. >> reporter: [ inaudible ]. >> nothing from judge gorsuch as he runs -- walks, rather, down the hallway, heading into senator susan collins' office. kelly ayotte joining him. kasie hunt is in that hallway. did you get a chance to get him any questions? the audio was a little bit muffled. >> reporter: we tried to, hallie. we asked him if the president was aware of what he said to senator blumenthal. he declined to answer questions. that typically has been out how they handled things like this. k kelly ayotte has been sort of following him around, shepherding him around through these meetings. she was until recently the republican senator from new hampshire. he's in there now with senator susan collins, the first of a series of meetings that he has today on capitol hill. looks like they're going to stick to the pr

first reaction to neil gorsuch? >> thanks for letting this nonlawyer join the lawyer margarita party. [laughter] listen, i want to talk about this. i want to echo what jay sekulow said. the president who was supposed to be this carnival barker, this tv guy, this barbarian, what dignity and grace! it wasn't about him, it was alla about judge gorsuch, it was a great moment for donald trump. for those of us who went through this campaign and i know you did, we sweat blood a lot of the time, people said what are the arguments? >> sean: i would do that again in a heartbeat. >> i would say the supreme court. people would say cynically, the roman emperor caligula, he will appoint his sister or some joker. well, he appointed neil gorsuch. end of story, end of case. there is the argument for the president of united states right here. this guy will serve 25 or 30 amazing years. >> sean: we have been around politics a long time. i covered robert bork, clarence thomas, we have seen how ugly this process can be. we both know and

that is not neil gorsuch. this is not a bomb thrower, someone in any way who doesn't believe in the judicial branch and in that sense it's surprising because i think disrupters are kind of trump's things so this is an incredibly solid respectable conventional pick that anyone would have made. in once sense it's surprising for trump because trump promised us a blue-collar non-ivy non-fancy pants guy and gorsuch was on the short list. so in that sense it's a funny pick but in every other sense conventional. >> he's sort of in the same way that the president attacked goldman sachs for having captured hillary clinton and having been the great downfall of ted cruz's ties to goldman sachs and then he brings on six people from goldman sachs into the administration. he is famous for the hobby lobby case, for his role at the appeals court level while that case made its way to the supreme court. i described that in a short way. tell me 23 i got that right and why that might be important in terms of controversies or impo

judge gorsuch, the podium, sir, is years. yours. [applause] judge gorsuch: thank you. president, thank you very much. mr. president, mr. vice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy and you have entrusted me with the most solemn assignment. standing here in the house of history, aware of my own imperfections. if i'm confirmed, i will do all my powers that permit to enforce the constitution of laws in this country. for the last decade, i worked as a federal judge at a court that spanned six western states. serving 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with are an inspiration to me. i have watch them fearlessly tending to the rule of law, forcing the promises of our constitution, and living out oaths to judicial administer justice equally. without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of oaths t them tonight. the supreme court's work is not the region of the country but the whole, vital to the protection of people's liberties continuityand in constitut with our constitution. the judges that have served in this particular seat

that is not neil gorsuch. this is not a bomb thrower, someone in any way who doesn't believe in the judicial branch and in that sense it's surprising because i think disrupters are kind of trump's things so this is an incredibly solid respectable conventional pick that anyone would have made. in once sense it's surprising for trump because trump promised us a blue-collar non-ivy non-fancy pants guy and gorsuch was on the short list. so in that sense it's a funny pick but in every other sense conventional. >> he's sort of in the same way that the president attacked goldman sachs for having captured hillary clinton and having been the great downfall of ted cruz's ties to goldman sachs and then he brings on six people from goldman sachs into the administration. he is famous for the hobby lobby case, for his role at the appeals court level while that case made its way to the supreme court. i described that in a short way. tell me 23 i got that right and why that might be important in terms of controversies or impo

gorsuch is more sceptical of government. being pro-life, being pro gun, gun rights, i think they both set that mold. both would allow him to say to his base, this is way promised and this is how i delivered. >> working on the third circuit court, with the president's sister, some people think, that gives him -- if you will, a little bit of an advantageous. >> i know the president's sister. we were judges in new jersey together. a formidable woman. personality and intellect. lou: i was on a jury in which she was the judge it was a civil case. >> you would have been a teenager in those days. >days. lou: i was, i assure you. here comes the president. we are about to find out. judge map * with me throughout. stay with us as the president approaches the podium. [applause] >> thank you. thank you very much. thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. when justice scalia passed away suddenly last february, i made a promise to the american people. if i were elected president, i would find the very best judge in the country for the su

>> i am confident judge gorsuch will be an independent judge. he already is an independent judge as i have come to understand by reviewing several of his rulings. >> reporter: how do you feel about president trump's comments? >> on? >> reporter: on the independent judiciary, what he's had to say in the last 24 hours? >> i disagreed with them. i disagreed with president trump last year when he criticized the indiana-born judge and said that he could not rule fairly in the case involving trump university because of his mexican heritage. i think it's inappropriate for any president to go after an independent judge. that is inappropriate. now, i do think it's fair game for the president to criticize the decision made by a judge but not the judge himself or herself. ted. >> reporter: can i just ask you so he had called those comments demoralizing and disheartening but he didn't actually condemn the remarks and urge the president not to say that anymore. did he address that at all with you? >> i didn't go into that issue at all. personally i think his

judge gorsuch is a homeland. i'm happy during the campaign president trump come as the american people he would nominate to constitutionalists replaced justice scalia and today president trump kept his word. he honored their commitment. tonight was a big deal. a lot of similarities. he will be replacing the late justice antonin scalia. nicole: the president made a supreme court and that does him in the is over. what do you think the odds are this confirmation? >> senator majority leader says they are looking to filibuster this nomination. the nuclear option. senate majority leader harry reid to change the rules for presidential appointees which allows them to move forward with a simple majority of 51 votes rather than the 60 that is needed. if they are going to filibuster, mitch bacall has hinted he may be willing to expand to rule for 51 votes rather than 60 to get the nomination through. >> great work. we can expect confirmed by march. quite an honor that san antonio spurs are built on the city thunder. default

gorsuch is more sceptical of government. being pro-life, being pro gun, gun rights, i think they both set that mold. both would allow him to say to his base, this is way promised and this is how i delivered. >> working on the third circuit court, with the president's sister, some people think, that gives him -- if you will, a little bit of an advantageous. >> i know the president's sister. we were judges in new jersey together. a formidable woman. personality and intellect. lou: i was on a jury in which she was the judge it was a civil case. >> you would have been a teenager in those days. >days. lou: i was, i assure you. here comes the president. we are about to find out. judge map * with me throughout. stay with us as thpresident approaches the podium. [applause] >> thank you. thank you very much. thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. when justice scalia passed away suddenly last february, i made a promise to the american people. if i were elected president, i would find the very best judge in the country for the supr

neil gorsuch of colorado. currently a sitting judge and 's choice tot replace antonin scalia on the supreme court. we are getting your thoughts on it, not just yours, but the senate's. (202) 748-8001 for republicans . for democrats. (202) 748-8002 for independents. glenda, you're on. caller: donald trump has been wonderful. democrats have been in for eight years. schools are bad. they are trying to say that this lady that donald trump is putting in his terrible on schools, but they had eight years to make them good. they didn't. they had eight years to make everything good. everything's bad. host: to the supreme court decision please. caller: i like what donald trump is doing. i think he is doing great. i like the guy he just picked for the judge. i think the next judge -- i hope he gets to pick him too. we need to take the world over again because democrats have ruined it. they destroyed it. lives inlyn florida and joins us on the independent line. good morning. caller: thank you for taking my call. i love yo

neil gorsuch, does he get through? >> neil gorsuch worked for me. i believe at the end of the day he will be confirmed. i don't believe the nuclear option will be exercised. >> bill: that means they get the votes. they get the 60. >> i believe they will get the votes. >> bill: thank you, sir, for your time. alberto gonzalez live from tennessee. we'll talk again. 20 past the hour. back to the steps of the court. shannon. >> shannon: president trump began with a list of 21 potential supreme court picks. how did he decide finally on judge neil gorsuch? we'll talk to an advisor who assisted the president every step of the way through this process. that's next. a fox news alert on the deadly terror raid in yemen that took the life of a navy seal. defense sources telling fox news the intelligence being collected could be a treasure trove. more on what we're learning about that coming up. >> shannon: president trump promised quick action on the supreme court during the campaign. and he vowed that he was going to nominate a judge in the mold of antonin scal

gorsuch continued meeting. monday on the senate floor, majority leader mitch mcconnell talked about what he sees as a double standard in the confirmation process. >> after much unnecessary delay from senate democrats, we will finally confirm two more key cabinet nominees this evening. secretary of and treasury and david chilton as secretary of veterans affairs. candidatesalified who will lead the charge on strengthening our economy and providing veterans with more of the care they deserve. i will have more to say tomorrow but for now i look forward to their confirmation later this evening. nominees,onfirm these we will continue to work to put the rest of president trump's cabinet and place. disappointingally to see the historic level of obstruction by senate democrats. i would like to remind our colleagues across the aisle lengthy very real consequences that will have on our country and on the men and women forced to work grueling hours to keep the senate working overnight last week. there is so much work aroun

gorsuch. specifically campaign finance. he has ruled against stricter campaign finance, and joe manchin said that's a concern of his. >> woodruff: finally, lisa, turning to the cabinet, when does it look as if, if you know, the president is going to get all the cabinet choices confirmed? >> i love that question because i have to tell you the atmosphere up here is nothing like i've ever experienced. it's such a frenzy. that's the bottom line. i think the way democrats are handling things right now, blocking, delaying, questioning as much as they can, i think it will be weeks before president trump could see all of his cabinet nominees place. >> woodruff: lisa desjardins reporting for us from the capitol. >capitol. thank you, lisa. >> woodruff: well, we turn now to my interview at the white house today with vice president mike pence, his first since assuming the office. i began by asking the former indiana governor how he thinks first few days in office have gone, a time that some have described as turbulent. >> i think we're

judge gorsuch will be confirmed. rest assured, we will work with the senate leadership to insure that judge gorsuch gets an up or down vote on the senate floor one way or the other. [ applause ] this seat does not belong to any party or any idealogy or any interest group. this seat on the supreme court belongs to the american people and the american people deserve a vote on the floor of the united states senate. [ applause ] my friends, this is a historic time for our country. we're on the verge, literally, of reaffirming the supremacy of the constitution. and our nation's supreme court. we're giving a new voice to the age old vision of our foundi fathers. we're rededicating ourselves to the timeless principles they proclaim adfed a few steps awaym where we are today. we're returning power to the american people. the rightful rulers of the greatest nation the world has ever known. we have much work to do. but i'm confident the grace of god, we will accomplish the task before us. so let me just close by saying thank y

he should not have pushed judge gorsuch. it's a huge mistake and one trump can't take back. >> this is not mitt romney checking his own character at the door to have a sit-down. you know, here is the thing about gorsuch, this was pretty cool. this was pretty cool. >> cool on gorsuch's part. >> absolutely. he said, i am who i am. i'm not going to change my values, even if it costs me this nomination. >> it's not going to cost him the nomination. there are some things even donald trump can't do. he put him on because he couldn't get anyone else on the armed services committee with john mccain. he's on the supreme court. it's the best thing that happened since this horror of an administration got in. >> they are in agreement. i want to take you now to capitol hill with casey hunt is watching the swearing in of jeff sessions set for 90 minutes from now. casey, once again, the democrats threw the kitchen sink at a nominee and once again, republicans lined up and the nominee got through. anyway, i would like to get a refund for al