Chris Matthews: ‘Hell to pay’ if Democrats don’t block Trump’s Supreme Court pick

Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC's "Hardball", warned the Democratic leadership "will have hell to pay" with voters if the party fails to block President Donald Trump's pick to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced Wednesday that he is retiring at the end of July. Matthews said that because Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, refused to even meet with former President Barack Obama's pick to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Democrats have to do everything in their power to stop Trump's pick from being confirmed.

Justice Kennedy’s exit triggers epic Supreme Court clash

President Donald Trump speaks to the media regarding the announcement that Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy will retire at the end of July, during his meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2018. less President Donald Trump speaks to the media regarding the announcement that Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy will retire at the end of July, during his meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo ... more WASHINGTON - The retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy will set off a fractious nomination process, as President Donald Trump seeks to cement his legacy with another conservative jurist.

The Era of Minority Rule

Jonathan Chait : "Democrats have won the national vote in six of the last seven presidential elections, which, with the retirement of Anthony Kennedy, will have resulted in the appointment of eight of its nine justices. And yet four of those justices will have been appointed by presidents who took office despite having fewer votes than their opponent.

Pastor Protection Act passes despite discrimination concerns

A Pastor Protection Act that supporters say protects religious freedom - but critics call unnecessary and discriminatory against gay couples - passed the Ohio House on Wednesday. The bill says that no licensed minister or religious society can be forced to perform or host a marriage ceremony that does not conform to their sincerely held religious beliefs while protecting them from lawsuits.

Trump meets president of Portugal at White House Source: AP

Meeting in the maelstrom of breaking news, President Donald Trump took a moment Wednesday to explain the significance of a Supreme Court vacancy to visiting Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Trump greeted Rebelo de Sousa in the Oval Office and then turned to the cameras to offer his reaction to Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement.

The Latest: Civil rights groups want court vote postponed Source: AP

Various civil rights groups are backing calls from Democratic lawmakers to hold off on a vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's replacement until after the November elections. Vanita Gupta, head of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, says senators need to put country over party and use every tool to stop what she calls President Donald Trump's plan "to take over the Supreme Court for the next 40 years."

Conservatives say the looming Supreme Court battle boosts their midterm prospects

President Trump hasn't yet named a replacement for Justice Anthony Kennedy, but conservatives are ready for a fight that could energize voters. Conservatives say the looming Supreme Court battle boosts their midterm prospects President Trump hasn't yet named a replacement for Justice Anthony Kennedy, but conservatives are ready for a fight that could energize voters.

‘This cannot be overstated’: Trump’s massive chance to reshape America

New York: In the early days of Donald Trump's presidency, many progressive Americans dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, his election victory would not prove as consequential as they first feared. Yes, a man they thought dangerous and demagogic was in the White House but the other branches of government - Congress and the courts - were providing an effective brake on executive power.

Kearny hopes SCOTUS will hear Keegan case, has filed for rare Writ of Certiorari

It may only be a dumping ground for construction debris and certain types of wastes but its possessive owner is as loathe to give it up as if there were gold in them thar hills. In what amounts to a last-ditch effort to hold onto a 110-acre parcel at Bergen Avenue and Newark-Jersey City Turnpike known as the Keegan landfill, the Town of Kearny is pinning its hopes on the highest court in the land.

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Janus vs. AFSCME, Council 31 Decision

Capt. Tim Canoll, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l , issued the following statement today after the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Janus vs. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees , Council 31 case: "Today's Supreme Court decision, Janus vs. AFSCME, Council 31 , is just the latest in a long series of attacks against unions by those who desire to undermine workers' wages, benefits, and bargaining power. As the world's largest pilot union, ALPA has not been immune to attempts to diminish our unity.

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down forced union dues as unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ended the practice of forcing public sector workers to pay union fees as a condition of employment. In a 5-4 decision , the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mark Janus in his First Amendment lawsuit against the AFSCME Council 31. The decision means Janus, a child support specialist for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, no longer has to pay what the union calls "fair share" fees for AFSCME's representation of him.

The Latest: Trump explains Kennedy retirement to de Sousa

President Donald Trump speaks to the media regarding the announcement that Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is retiring, during his meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2018. less President Donald Trump speaks to the media regarding the announcement that Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is retiring, during his meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in ... more FILe - In this Feb. 18, 1988, file photo Anthony Kennedy, left, takes the constitutional oath as a Supreme Court Associate Justice from Chief Justice William Rehnquist at a White House ceremony in Washington.

Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court

In this March 23, 2015, file photo, Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy testifies before a House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The 81-year-old Kennedy said Tuesday, June 27, 2018, that he is retiring after more than 30 years on the court.

Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick

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