White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest “resisted the urge” to respond to Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Judge Gonzalo Curiel’s race at a press conference Monday afternoon, but he did point out how even Republican senators have denounced their presidential nominee’s rhetoric.
It is ironic and hypocritical, Earnest argued, for GOP senators to criticize Trump’s remarks while refusing to hold a vote on Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.
“It’s a little ironic for Republicans in the Senate, who say they have concerns about the GOP nominee, to also say they’re not going to confirm any judges to SCOTUS,” Earnest insisted.
“There’s ample time” for the Senate to give Garland a vote before they go on vacation, Earnest insisted.
Yet, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is standing his ground, refusing to let President Obama get his way and arguing the important choice to replace conservative lion Antonin Scalia should wait for a new president.
The press secretary can’t understand why, even when faced with “well qualified nominees,” Republicans are not budging.
“Blocking the nominees is indefensible,” he concluded.