As expected, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer faced a barrage of questions from the press pool about Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch's analysis of President Trump's tweets about federal judges who disagree with his policies. Trump's dismissal of Seattle's James Robart as a "so-called judge" was disheartening, Gorsuch reportedly told Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
In making those remarks, Gorsuch was not singling out the president, Spicer argued, adding they were taken out of context. Gorsuch was speaking in general terms, the press secretary said. He quoted a statement from Kelly Ayotte to prove it.
“There’s a big difference commenting on the specific comments that had been made in a tweet, and his general philosophy about the judiciary and the respect for his fellow judges," Spicer said. "Those are two distinct issues.”
The press wasn't satisfied with his explanation and kept pressing him on the matter. By the third time the question was asked, Spicer was visibly frustrated.
All the controversy aside, Trump "absolutely" stands by his Supreme Court pick, Spicer said.
