Merrick Garland: The Most Shared Thoughts on President Obama’s SCOTUS Nomination

By Megan T. Brown on March 18, 2016

Amid fierce opposition from Republicans, President Obama has announced his nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia. Merrick Garland, Chief Judge for the D.C. Appeals Court, was formally nominated during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. Though he possesses decades of experience in U.S., the moderate judge may not have Senate support. Here are the most socially shared articles on the president’s nomination—check out our politics portal for more trending U.S. news.

1

Obama Chooses Merrick Garland for Supreme Court

social interactions

The majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, appeared on the Senate floor just after the president's announcement to express displeasure with the nomination.

The New York Times

2

President Obama nominates Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court

social interactions

Obama's choice disappointed many supporters who had hoped the president would use his nomination to expand diversity in the Supreme Court.

Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post

3

Obama nominates Merrick Garland to Supreme Court

social interactions

Conservatives say their refusal to consider Garland stems from the desire to let the American people weigh in on Scalia's replacement.

CNN

4

Obama's choice of popular centrist Merrick Garland for Supreme Court puts GOP to the test

social interactions

Garland was considered to fill the last Supreme Court vacancy in 2010, with many GOP Senate Judiciary Committee members lobbying for his selection.

Associated Press via LA Times

5

Can Merrick Garland, Fair-Minded ‘Mensch’ of a Judge, Win Spot on the Supreme Court?

social interactions

Garland cited a modest upbringing and his Jewish family’s battle with persecution as motivators for his fair and honest reputation during his emotional response to the nomination.

Forward

6

Meet Merrick Garland, Obama's SCOTUS nominee

social interactions

Garland's record contains few major decisions, as the judge has never been a fan of issuing sweeping rulings on hot-button issues.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images via USA Today

7

Obama nominates Merrick Garland, DC appeals court judge, to supreme court

social interactions

Garland stated that his most famous case as a prosecutor, the 1995 Oklahoma City bomber trial, solidified his belief in the importance of trust in the justice system.

The Guardian

8

Obama picks centrist high court nominee; Republicans unmoved

social interactions

Various private groups have come forward to express their opinions of Garland—the UAW, for example, supports the nomination, while the NRA opposes his stance on firearms.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

9

Obama nominates Merrick Garland for Supreme Court

social interactions

Some Republicans fear a "no-hearing, no-vote" stance will brand the party as obstructionist.

Chicago Tribune

10

Merrick Garland declared Obama's Supreme Court nominee

social interactions

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan weighed in, saying the choice has never been about the nominee himself: "Under our Constitution, the president has every right to make this nomination, and the Senate has every right not to confirm a nominee."

BBC News