npr--2020-09-19--Anita Hill Reflects On Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Gender Equality Legacy

Both Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anita Hill became cultural figures in their fight for gender equality .
In the aftermath of Justice Ginsburg 's death , Hill says , `` her legacy is so large . ''
`` I think that her voice brought to the court her willingness to really push for a full and inclusive definition of equality , '' Hill told NPR 's All Things Considered .
`` I think those are things that characterized her and I think that 's how she will be remembered . ''
Before her tenure on the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was instrumental in fighting gender discrimination .
She brought that experience with her when President Bill Clinton nominated her to the high court in 1993 .
This was two years after President George H.W .
Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to become an associate justice .
His confirmation hearings in 1991 captivated the nation after allegations surfaced that Thomas had sexually harassed Hill , a lawyer who had worked for him at a previous job .
Hill , who is now a professor of social policy , law and women 's studies at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR 's Michel Martin about Ginsburg 's legacy , her fight for gender equality and more .
I think of her contributions as really helping us define in a very inclusive way what equality was going to mean — what it would look like if we ultimately get to it .
And of course being inclusive , her impact did have very much to do with the issues of gender violence , including sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace .
The fact that she continued to advocate on behalf of equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think , that is what has inspired a lot of people .
And I 'll give you a prime example and that is in the Ledbetter case involving equal pay for women .
When the majority ruled in favor of the tire company that was paying Lilly Ledbetter less money , she wrote a dissent , read the dissent and urged Congress to correct the court 's decision — and that actually happened about a year and a half after she read her dissent from the bench .
I think with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our imagination and said that even when you may seem to be down and your position may seem to be lost , there are ways that you can move on to win .
One of the things that concerns me most is that we will no longer have a pioneer in the civil rights movement or women 's rights movement on the court .
And I think we are losing something now that we 've lost that voice .
We had it with Thurgood Marshall and we 've had it with Ruth Bader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can regain that .
Robert Baldwin III and William Troop produced and edited the audio version of this story .
Christianna Silva adapted it for the Web .

Anita Hill Reflects On Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Gender Equality Legacy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Fortune Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Fortune
Both Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anita Hill became cultural figures in their fight for gender equality. In the aftermath of Justice Ginsburg's death, Hill says, "her legacy is so large."
"I think that her voice brought to the court her willingness to really push for a full and inclusive definition of equality," Hill told NPR's All Things Considered. "I think those are things that characterized her and I think that's how she will be remembered."
Before her tenure on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg was a prominent lawyer who was instrumental in fighting gender discrimination. She brought that experience with her when President Bill Clinton nominated her to the high court in 1993.
This was two years after President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to become an associate justice. His confirmation hearings in 1991 captivated the nation after allegations surfaced that Thomas had sexually harassed Hill, a lawyer who had worked for him at a previous job.
Hill, who is now a professor of social policy, law and women's studies at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about Ginsburg's legacy, her fight for gender equality and more.
Interview Highlights
On Ruth Bader Ginsburg's fight for gender equality
I think of her contributions as really helping us define in a very inclusive way what equality was going to mean — what it would look like if we ultimately get to it. And of course being inclusive, her impact did have very much to do with the issues of gender violence, including sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.
On Ruth Bader Ginsburg's famous dissents
The fact that she continued to advocate on behalf of equality even though she was in the minority, I think, that is what has inspired a lot of people. And I'll give you a prime example and that is in the Ledbetter case involving equal pay for women. When the majority ruled in favor of the tire company that was paying Lilly Ledbetter less money, she wrote a dissent, read the dissent and urged Congress to correct the court's decision — and that actually happened about a year and a half after she read her dissent from the bench. I think with actions like that, that really captured our imagination and said that even when you may seem to be down and your position may seem to be lost, there are ways that you can move on to win.
On Ruth Bader Ginsburg's legacy
One of the things that concerns me most is that we will no longer have a pioneer in the civil rights movement or women's rights movement on the court. And I think we are losing something now that we've lost that voice. We had it with Thurgood Marshall and we've had it with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And I hope that somehow we can regain that.
Robert Baldwin III and William Troop produced and edited the audio version of this story. Christianna Silva adapted it for the Web.


npr--2020-09-19--Ricin Discovered In Mail Intended For White House

Federal authorities are investigating after ricin , a deadly toxin , was discovered in mail intended for the White House @ @ @ @ @ the envelope which was positively identified with mail meant for the White House , law @ @ @ @ @ The ricin never made it to White House grounds , but authorities are still searching @ @ @ @ @ that may be linked to the ricin .
Law enforcement sources also said investigators are @ @ @ @ @ have made no arrests .
Both the White House and Secret Service are declining to @ @ @ @ @ toxin derived from castor seeds , has been previously sent to public officials and politicians @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 .
A man from Tupelo , Mississippi was sentenced to 25 years in @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , the FBI arrested a Utah man they believed sent castor seeds in @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon .

Ricin Discovered In Mail Intended For White House
Federal authorities are investigating after ricin, a deadly toxin, was discovered in mail intended for the White House.
The Secret Service intercepted the envelope which was positively identified with mail meant for the White House, law enforcement sources tell NPR. The ricin never made it to White House grounds, but authorities are still searching for other undiscovered dangerous packages that may be linked to the ricin.
Law enforcement sources also said investigators are narrowing down suspects, but have made no arrests.
Both the White House and Secret Service are declining to comment.
Ricin, a toxin derived from castor seeds, has been previously sent to public officials and politicians, including to President Obama in 2013. A man from Tupelo, Mississippi was sentenced to 25 years in prison in that case.
In 2018, the FBI arrested a Utah man they believed sent castor seeds in two envelopes addressed to the Pentagon.
NPR's Carrie Johnson contributed to this report.


npr--2020-09-19--Justices Remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 'A Jurist Of Historic Stature'

Supreme Court justices , both current and former , are remembering their colleague Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Friday at the age of 87 .
`` Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature .
We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague .
Today we mourn , but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice , '' wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in a statement Friday .
Current and former justices reminisced Saturday about their colleague , recalling a diligent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kindness .
Stephen Breyer wrote that he heard of Ginsburg 's death while reciting the Mourner 's Kaddish during Rosh Hashanah services .
`` The world is a better place for her having lived in it , '' he said .
`` She served our Court and country with consummate dedication , tirelessness , and passion for justice .
She has left a legacy few could rival , '' wrote Sotomayor .
Justice Elena Kagan remembered Ginsburg as a hero working to ensure the `` country 's legal system lives up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections to those once excluded . ''
Kagan also recounted Ginsburg 's encouragement throughout her career .
`` Ruth reached out to encourage and assist me in my career , as she did for so many others , long before I came to the Supreme Court .
And she guided and inspired me , on matters large and small , once I became her colleague , '' Kagan said in her statement .
Praise for Ginsburg was n't restricted to her fellow liberals on the court .
Justices across the ideological divide shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that his colleague of nearly 30 years was the `` essence of grace , civility and dignity . ''
`` The most difficult part of a long tenure is watching colleagues decline and pass away .
And , the passing of my dear colleague , Ruth , is profoundly difficult and so very sad .
I will dearly miss my friend , '' Thomas wrote .
Other conservative justices also shared their memories of Ginsburg .
Neil Gorsuch wrote of a colleague with a sweet tooth and appreciation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept a photo of her standing with four of his former law clerks in his chambers .
Justice Samuel Alito called her `` a leading figure in the history of the Court . ''
Other remembrances came from two former justices .
Anthony Kennedy wrote that Ginsburg was `` remarkably well prepared for every case . ''
David Souter told NPR he was `` heartbroken '' by Ginsburg 's death .
`` She was this rare combo of an intellectual giant in the law with a soft center and wonderful sense of humor @ @ @ @ @

Justices Remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 'A Jurist Of Historic Stature'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Supreme Court justices, both current and former, are remembering their colleague Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday at the age of 87.
"Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in a statement Friday.
Current and former justices reminisced Saturday about their colleague, recalling a diligent legal mind who embodied wisdom, integrity and kindness.
Stephen Breyer wrote that he heard of Ginsburg's death while reciting the Mourner's Kaddish during Rosh Hashanah services. "The world is a better place for her having lived in it," he said.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor called her "a pathbreaking champion of women's rights."
"She served our Court and country with consummate dedication, tirelessness, and passion for justice. She has left a legacy few could rival," wrote Sotomayor.
Justice Elena Kagan remembered Ginsburg as a hero working to ensure the "country's legal system lives up to its ideals and extends its rights and protections to those once excluded." Kagan also recounted Ginsburg's encouragement throughout her career.
"Ruth reached out to encourage and assist me in my career, as she did for so many others, long before I came to the Supreme Court. And she guided and inspired me, on matters large and small, once I became her colleague," Kagan said in her statement.
Praise for Ginsburg wasn't restricted to her fellow liberals on the court. Justices across the ideological divide shared fond memories of their former colleague. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that his colleague of nearly 30 years was the "essence of grace, civility and dignity."
"The most difficult part of a long tenure is watching colleagues decline and pass away. And, the passing of my dear colleague, Ruth, is profoundly difficult and so very sad. I will dearly miss my friend," Thomas wrote.
Other conservative justices also shared their memories of Ginsburg. Neil Gorsuch wrote of a colleague with a sweet tooth and appreciation for opera. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he kept a photo of her standing with four of his former law clerks in his chambers. Justice Samuel Alito called her "a leading figure in the history of the Court."
Other remembrances came from two former justices. Anthony Kennedy wrote that Ginsburg was "remarkably well prepared for every case." David Souter told NPR he was "heartbroken" by Ginsburg's death.
"She was this rare combo of an intellectual giant in the law with a soft center and wonderful sense of humor," Souter said.


npr--2020-09-19--Trump Says He Expects To Announce His Supreme Court Pick 'Next Week'

Trump Says He Expects To Announce His Supreme Court Pick 'Next Week' President Trump says that he expects to announce a nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death `` next week '' and that the pick will likely be a woman .
`` A choice of a woman would certainly be appropriate , '' he told reporters at the White House on Saturday before leaving for a campaign rally in North Carolina .
`` We want to respect the process , '' Trump said .
`` I think it 's going to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously tweeted that Republicans should move forward with a nominee `` without delay . ''
Shortly after the court announced Ginsburg 's death on Friday night , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said he intends to bring the president 's selection to a vote on the Senate floor .
Democrats have cried foul , saying there should not be a vote until after the election .
They point to McConnell 's decision in 2016 to stop then-President Barack Obama 's nomination to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalia 's seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on more moderate Senate Republicans such as Susan Collins of Maine , who is in a tough reelection fight .
In a statement on Saturday , Collins said that she does not support a vote on a Supreme Court nominee before the election and that the winner of the presidential election should name the pick .
She did not explicitly say she would vote to stop a pre-election nomination if it happened .
`` We won [ the last election ] and we have an obligation as the winners to pick who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He predicted the Senate would move quickly on his nominee .
`` I would think before [ the Nov. 3 election ] would be very good . ''
Trump was asked by reporters about Judge Amy Coney Barrett , whom he called `` highly respected , '' but stopped short of saying she was the front-runner .
Reporters also asked about another jurist being mentioned as a potential choice : Judge Barbara Lagoa .
Trump said he had heard good things about her , and noted she is Hispanic and from Miami .

Trump Says He Expects To Announce His Supreme Court Pick 'Next Week'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump says that he expects to announce a nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death "next week" and that the pick will likely be a woman.
"A choice of a woman would certainly be appropriate," he told reporters at the White House on Saturday before leaving for a campaign rally in North Carolina.
(Later on, at that rally, Trump pledged his pick would indeed be a woman: "It will be a woman, a very talented, very brilliant woman.")
"We want to respect the process," Trump said. "I think it's going to go very quickly, actually." He had previously tweeted that Republicans should move forward with a nominee "without delay."
Shortly after the court announced Ginsburg's death on Friday night, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he intends to bring the president's selection to a vote on the Senate floor.
Democrats have cried foul, saying there should not be a vote until after the election. They point to McConnell's decision in 2016 to stop then-President Barack Obama's nomination to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalia's seat on the court.
Now, attention is on more moderate Senate Republicans such as Susan Collins of Maine, who is in a tough reelection fight.
In a statement on Saturday, Collins said that she does not support a vote on a Supreme Court nominee before the election and that the winner of the presidential election should name the pick. She did not explicitly say she would vote to stop a pre-election nomination if it happened.
"We won [the last election] and we have an obligation as the winners to pick who we want," Trump said. He predicted the Senate would move quickly on his nominee. "I would think before [the Nov. 3 election] would be very good."
Trump was asked by reporters about Judge Amy Coney Barrett, whom he called "highly respected," but stopped short of saying she was the front-runner. Reporters also asked about another jurist being mentioned as a potential choice: Judge Barbara Lagoa. Trump said he had heard good things about her, and noted she is Hispanic and from Miami.


npr--2020-09-19--Susan Collins: Whoever Wins The Presidential Election Should Fill SCOTUS Vacancy

Susan Collins : Whoever Wins The Presidential Election Should Fill SCOTUS Vacancy Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the nomination of a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be made by whichever candidate wins the presidential election .
Citing the proximity to Election Day — now just weeks away — she said in a statement Saturday : `` In fairness to the American people , who will either be re-electing the President or selecting a new one , the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on November 3rd . ''
Collins , who 's often a key vote in Senate battles , faces a tough reelection fight in Maine , as recent polling has her trailing challenger Sara Gideon , the Democratic state House speaker .
Collins ' 2018 vote in favor of President Trump 's second Supreme Court nominee , Brett Kavanaugh , has been a notable issue for Maine voters .
Collins ' statement follows a pledge Friday night from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , that `` President Trump 's nominee will receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Senate . ''
Trump has said the GOP should select a new justice `` without delay , '' while his opponent , Democratic nominee Joe Biden , has said the Senate should n't take up the vacancy until after voters have expressed their choice in the election .
As NPR 's Kelsey Snell noted , Collins told The New York Times earlier this month that she opposes a Supreme Court confirmation process in October , so close to the election .
Another key Senate vote , Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming a new justice until after the presidential election .

Susan Collins: Whoever Wins The Presidential Election Should Fill SCOTUS Vacancy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Greg Nash/The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty Images Greg Nash/The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the nomination of a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be made by whichever candidate wins the presidential election.
Citing the proximity to Election Day — now just weeks away — she said in a statement Saturday: "In fairness to the American people, who will either be re-electing the President or selecting a new one, the decision on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court should be made by the President who is elected on November 3rd."
Collins, who's often a key vote in Senate battles, faces a tough reelection fight in Maine, as recent polling has her trailing challenger Sara Gideon, the Democratic state House speaker. Collins' 2018 vote in favor of President Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, has been a notable issue for Maine voters.
Collins' statement follows a pledge Friday night from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that "President Trump's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate."
Trump has said the GOP should select a new justice "without delay," while his opponent, Democratic nominee Joe Biden, has said the Senate shouldn't take up the vacancy until after voters have expressed their choice in the election.
As NPR's Kelsey Snell noted, Collins told The New York Times earlier this month that she opposes a Supreme Court confirmation process in October, so close to the election.
Another key Senate vote, Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, has also said she wouldn't support confirming a new justice until after the presidential election.


npr--2020-09-19--'It Only Takes 4': Durbin Hopes Some Republicans Break Ranks To Block A Trump Nominee

'It Only Takes 4 ' : Durbin Hopes Some Republicans Break Ranks To Block A Trump Nominee With Republican leadership united behind President Trump 's decision to quickly nominate a new Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death on Friday , Senate Democrats are hoping to block a vote by swaying a few moderate Republicans to their side .
`` Hope springs eternal , '' Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois told Scott Simon on NPR 's Weekend Edition Saturday .
He cited past comments by Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be against holding a vote during the waning months of Trump 's first and possibly only presidential term .
In statements remembering Ginsburg on Friday , neither Murkowski nor Collins made any mention of filling the vacancy .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , has also said he would n't confirm a Supreme Court nomination in 2020 .
Democrats are also hopeful that Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , might also push back .
He broke with the rest of the Senate Republicans on impeachment earlier this year .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the other , '' said Durbin , who sits on the Judiciary Committee .
`` You would hope that reasonable people could sit down and find a compromise that is fair .
But I will tell you , the experience we 've had with Sen. McConnell in filling federal judicial vacancies over the last several years do n't give me much hope . ''
It takes 51 Senate votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee .
Republicans hold 53 seats .
In the event of a 50-50 tie , Vice President Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 47-member Democratic caucus needs the support of four Republicans to block the nomination .
`` It only takes four , '' Durbin said .
`` If there are four who will stand together and tell Sen. McConnell that this is the wrong thing to do , that if we argued before that Obama did not have — should not have the authority to fill a Supreme Court vacancy in the closing days of a presidency , that the American people should have the last word in an election , if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonin ] Scalia vacancy , it should apply as well here . ''
According to University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias , who studies the selection of federal judges , it 's unprecedented in modern times for enough senators to push back on their own party 's leadership to block a Supreme Court nomination .
Then again , `` what McConnell did was also unprecedented '' when he blocked President Barack Obama 's 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland , Tobias told NPR .
Finding four Republicans willing to go against McConnell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to have , but it 's not inconceivable , '' he said .

'It Only Takes 4': Durbin Hopes Some Republicans Break Ranks To Block A Trump Nominee
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
Updated at 10:38 p.m. ET
With Republican leadership united behind President Trump's decision to quickly nominate a new Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death on Friday, Senate Democrats are hoping to block a vote by swaying a few moderate Republicans to their side.
"Hope springs eternal," Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois told Scott Simon on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday. He cited past comments by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, that they would be against holding a vote during the waning months of Trump's first and possibly only presidential term.
In a statement remembering Ginsburg on Friday, Murkowski made no mention of filling the vacancy. On Saturday, Collins said that the nomination should be made by whichever president is elected in November.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has also said he wouldn't confirm a Supreme Court nomination in 2020. Democrats are also hopeful that Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, might also push back. He broke with the rest of the Senate Republicans on impeachment earlier this year.
"I think we have to be consistent one way or the other," said Durbin, who sits on the Judiciary Committee. "You would hope that reasonable people could sit down and find a compromise that is fair. But I will tell you, the experience we've had with Sen. McConnell in filling federal judicial vacancies over the last several years don't give me much hope."
It takes 51 Senate votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. Republicans hold 53 seats. In the event of a 50-50 tie, Vice President Pence would cast the deciding vote. Therefore, the 47-member Democratic caucus needs the support of four Republicans to block the nomination.
"It only takes four," Durbin said. "If there are four who will stand together and tell Sen. McConnell that this is the wrong thing to do, that if we argued before that Obama did not have — should not have the authority to fill a Supreme Court vacancy in the closing days of a presidency, that the American people should have the last word in an election, if that was the standard back in the [Antonin] Scalia vacancy, it should apply as well here."
According to University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias, who studies the selection of federal judges, it's unprecedented in modern times for enough senators to push back on their own party's leadership to block a Supreme Court nomination.
Then again, "what McConnell did was also unprecedented" when he blocked President Barack Obama's 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland, Tobias told NPR. Finding four Republicans willing to go against McConnell and Trump would be "a really tough vote to have, but it's not inconceivable," he said.


npr--2020-09-19--Sources: Trump Considers Barrett, Lagoa, Rushing For Supreme Court Spot

Judges Amy Coney Barrett , Barbara Lagoa and Allison Jones Rushing are emerging as serious contenders to fill the seat on the Supreme Court vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , according to sources familiar with the process .
An announcement on the nominee could come as early as Monday or Tuesday .
Barrett is the front-runner , according to the sources .
A former high-ranking White House lawyer told NPR 's Tamara Keith that `` Barrett remains very highly regarded .
She would be a brilliant and compassionate justice .
Her intellect and thought leadership are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent chaotic times that opposition to her is based primarily on her Catholic faith . ''
Barrett sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and was a finalist for Trump 's second high court nomination , which ultimately went to Brett Kavanaugh .
Lagoa , a Florida native , sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit .
Trump spoke highly of her Saturday evening and Republicans have hopes she could energize Latino voters .
One source said D.C. 's legal establishment has questions about her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bench .
Rushing sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit .
She 's a favorite of evangelical groups , an important part of the Trump base .
Born in 1982 , she would be in position to serve for decades .
Amul Thapar of Kentucky , from the 6th Circuit , also is under consideration .
He 's championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Sources in the executive branch told NPR 's Carrie Johnson that Kate Todd , deputy assistant to the president and deputy counsel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running .

Sources: Trump Considers Barrett, Lagoa, Rushing For Supreme Court Spot
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Updated at 7:28 p.m. ET
Judges Amy Coney Barrett, Barbara Lagoa and Allison Jones Rushing are emerging as serious contenders to fill the seat on the Supreme Court vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, according to sources familiar with the process.
An announcement on the nominee could come as early as Monday or Tuesday.
Barrett is the front-runner, according to the sources. A former high-ranking White House lawyer told NPR's Tamara Keith that "Barrett remains very highly regarded. She would be a brilliant and compassionate justice. Her intellect and thought leadership are well-established. It is telling in these violent chaotic times that opposition to her is based primarily on her Catholic faith."
Barrett sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and was a finalist for Trump's second high court nomination, which ultimately went to Brett Kavanaugh.
Lagoa, a Florida native, sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Trump spoke highly of her Saturday evening and Republicans have hopes she could energize Latino voters. One source said D.C.'s legal establishment has questions about her reliability as a conservative voice on the bench.
Rushing sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. She's a favorite of evangelical groups, an important part of the Trump base. Born in 1982, she would be in position to serve for decades.
Amul Thapar of Kentucky, from the 6th Circuit, also is under consideration. He's championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Sources in the executive branch told NPR's Carrie Johnson that Kate Todd, deputy assistant to the president and deputy counsel to the president, is also in the running.


npr--2020-09-19--Patrick Leahy Says A Vote Now To Replace Ginsburg Would Be 'Political Hypocrisy'

Patrick Leahy Says A Vote Now To Replace Ginsburg Would Be 'Political Hypocrisy' Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , says it would be `` political hypocrisy '' for Republicans to move ahead and confirm a nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court before Election Day .
`` I 've seen things I 've questioned , but I 've never seen political hypocrisy at this level .
I mean , it will actually go down in the journals of political hypocrisy , '' Leahy said in an interview Saturday with NPR 's Weekend Edition .
Leahy 's remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell , R-Ky. , that the Senate will vote on whomever President Trump nominates to succeed Ginsburg , who died Friday at the age of 87 .
Leahy echoed a growing chorus of Democrats — including former President Obama and Democratic nominee Joe Biden — who have all said Ginsburg 's replacement should be selected after the presidential election .
Ginsburg herself in her final days dictated a statement saying , `` My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed . ''
Leahy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called McConnell 's stance a `` flip flop , '' pointing to his refusal to consider Obama nominee Merrick Garland in the months leading up to the 2016 election .
He said a vote now would `` stain the Supreme Court . ''
`` The Supreme Court has to be above politics , '' Leahy said .
`` ...
If they are seen as just a political arm of whoever is president , it loses that validity .
It loses the confidence the American people should have in the Supreme Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonin Scalia in 2016 , McConnell said that picking his replacement should await the results of that year 's election because `` the American people should have a voice in the selection . ''
In his Friday statement , McConnell drew a distinction between then and now , saying unlike in 2016 when Democrats controlled the White House and Republicans the Senate , the president and the Senate majority are now of the same party .
Leahy said that in the coming days he would try to appeal to his Republican colleagues based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their sense that the Senate should be the conscience of the nation . ''
He added that he had hoped that his colleagues would `` take a deep breath and talk about the legacy of Justice Ginsburg . ''

Patrick Leahy Says A Vote Now To Replace Ginsburg Would Be 'Political Hypocrisy'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tom Williams/AP Tom Williams/AP
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., says it would be "political hypocrisy" for Republicans to move ahead and confirm a nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court before Election Day.
"I've seen things I've questioned, but I've never seen political hypocrisy at this level. I mean, it will actually go down in the journals of political hypocrisy," Leahy said in an interview Saturday with NPR's Weekend Edition.
Leahy's remarks followed a statement from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that the Senate will vote on whomever President Trump nominates to succeed Ginsburg, who died Friday at the age of 87.
Leahy echoed a growing chorus of Democrats — including former President Obama and Democratic nominee Joe Biden — who have all said Ginsburg's replacement should be selected after the presidential election. Ginsburg herself in her final days dictated a statement saying, "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."
Leahy, who sits on the Senate Judiciary committee, called McConnell's stance a "flip flop," pointing to his refusal to consider Obama nominee Merrick Garland in the months leading up to the 2016 election. He said a vote now would "stain the Supreme Court."
"The Supreme Court has to be above politics," Leahy said. "... If they are seen as just a political arm of whoever is president, it loses that validity. It loses the confidence the American people should have in the Supreme Court."
Following the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, McConnell said that picking his replacement should await the results of that year's election because "the American people should have a voice in the selection."
In his Friday statement, McConnell drew a distinction between then and now, saying unlike in 2016 when Democrats controlled the White House and Republicans the Senate, the president and the Senate majority are now of the same party.
Leahy said that in the coming days he would try to appeal to his Republican colleagues based on "their sense of tradition, their sense that the Senate should be the conscience of the nation."
He added that he had hoped that his colleagues would "take a deep breath and talk about the legacy of Justice Ginsburg."


npr--2020-09-19--Kamala Harris And Her Husband Make Stop Outside The Supreme Court

Kamala Harris And Her Husband Make Stop Outside The Supreme Court Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband @ @ @ @ @ outside the Supreme Court Saturday morning , following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg was a titan—a relentless defender of justice and a legal mind for the ages @ @ @ @ @ a tweet .
`` The stakes of this election could n't be higher .
Millions @ @ @ @ @ us to win and protect the Supreme Court—for their health , for their families , @ @ @ @ @ '' Harris , of course , is not only Joe Biden 's running mate ; @ @ @ @ @ senator who serves on the Judiciary Committee , which would consider a new nominee , @ @ @ @ @ forward .
Read more about mourners gathering in front of the court here , and @ @ @ @ @ of Ginsburg 's death here .

Kamala Harris And Her Husband Make Stop Outside The Supreme Court
Enlarge this image Camille Camdessus/AFP via Getty Images Camille Camdessus/AFP via Getty Images
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, stopped outside the Supreme Court Saturday morning, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"Justice Ginsburg was a titan—a relentless defender of justice and a legal mind for the ages," Harris said in a tweet. "The stakes of this election couldn't be higher. Millions of Americans are counting on us to win and protect the Supreme Court—for their health, for their families, and for their rights."
Harris, of course, is not only Joe Biden's running mate; she's also a California senator who serves on the Judiciary Committee, which would consider a new nominee, should President Trump put one forward.
Read more about mourners gathering in front of the court here, and find all of our coverage of Ginsburg's death here.


npr--2020-09-19--'Use My Words Against Me': Lindsey Graham's Shifting Position On Court Vacancies

'Use My Words Against Me ' : Lindsey Graham 's Shifting Position On Court Vacancies Almost immediately upon learning of the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , attention moved to whether Republicans would attempt to fill her seat before the election .
Many eyes turned to moderate Republican senators like Susan Collins of Maine or Lisa Murkowski of Alaska .
But even more conservative Republicans have , in the past , expressed their reluctance to fill a vacancy during an election year .
Chief among those is South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham .
Graham , who as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversee confirmation hearings , said Saturday that he would support President Trump `` in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg . ''
But this is a reversal from his earlier position ; Graham has said multiple times that if a vacancy opened up in the run-up to a presidential election , he would hold off on confirmation .
`` I want you to use my words against me .
If there 's a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can say Lindsey Graham said , 'Let 's let the next president , whoever it might be , make that nomination , ' `` he said in 2016 shortly after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia .
`` And you could use my words against me and you 'd be absolutely right . ''
Graham repeated the sentiment in October 2018 in an interview with The Atlantic 's editor-in-chief , Jeffrey Goldberg .
`` If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump 's term , and the primary process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next election . ''
Graham later walked back those remarks .
This spring , Graham said circumstances had changed since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , blocked the appointment of Merrick Garland during the last year of Barack Obama 's presidential term .
`` Merrick Garland was a different situation , '' Graham said on Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren , as reported by The Hill .
`` You had the president of one party nominating , and you had the Senate in the hands of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got them both would be different .
I do n't want to speculate , but I think appointing judges is a high priority for me in 2020 . ''
Graham repeated his sentiment just last month , telling reporters that he was prepared to advance a nominee , even during this election year .
`` Yeah .
We 'll cross that bridge , '' Graham said , NBC News reported .
`` After [ Brett ] Kavanaugh , the rules have changed as far as I 'm concerned . ''
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg 's passing .
`` Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer who possessed tremendous passion for her causes , '' he said .
`` While I had many differences with her on legal philosophy , I appreciate her service to our nation . ''
On Saturday morning , Trump was resolute in his call for Ginbsurg 's seat to be filled immediately .
He tweeted : `` We have this obligation , without delay ! ''
A short time later , Graham responded .
`` I fully understand where President @ realDonaldTrump is coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's comments .
`` As to my view of filling a Supreme Court vacancy in 2020 , I 'd encourage you to review these most recent statements , '' he added , citing his remarks to NBC News in August that `` the rules have changed . ''
Things are different now because of two moves made by Democrats over the past decade , Graham said .
The first was when then-Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada changed Senate rules to allow for a simple majority vote for circuit court nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was when `` Chuck Schumer and his friends in the liberal media conspired to destroy the life of Brett Kavanaugh and hold that Supreme Court seat open . ''
Graham 's explanation of the changing rules leaves out some important context .
While it is true that the Democrat-controlled Senate invoked the so-called `` nuclear option '' in 2013 to make it easier to pass lower court judges in the face of Republican opposition , it was McConnell who raised the stakes in 2017 , applying the same simple-majority rule to Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump nominates will get a Senate vote .
That would go against Ginsburg 's final wishes .
In a statement dictated to her granddaughter just days before her death , Ginsburg urged delaying a vote to fill her seat .
`` My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed , '' she said .

'Use My Words Against Me': Lindsey Graham's Shifting Position On Court Vacancies
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Bourg/AP Jim Bourg/AP
Updated at 3:09 p.m. ET
Almost immediately upon learning of the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, attention moved to whether Republicans would attempt to fill her seat before the election.
Many eyes turned to moderate Republican senators like Susan Collins of Maine or Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. But even more conservative Republicans have, in the past, expressed their reluctance to fill a vacancy during an election year. Chief among those is South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Graham, who as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee would oversee confirmation hearings, said Saturday that he would support President Trump "in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg."
But this is a reversal from his earlier position; Graham has said multiple times that if a vacancy opened up in the run-up to a presidential election, he would hold off on confirmation.
"I want you to use my words against me. If there's a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said, 'Let's let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination,' " he said in 2016 shortly after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. "And you could use my words against me and you'd be absolutely right."
Graham repeated the sentiment in October 2018 in an interview with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. "If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait till the next election."
Graham later walked back those remarks. This spring, Graham said circumstances had changed since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blocked the appointment of Merrick Garland during the last year of Barack Obama's presidential term.
"Merrick Garland was a different situation," Graham said on Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren, as reported by The Hill. "You had the president of one party nominating, and you had the Senate in the hands of the other party. A situation where you've got them both would be different. I don't want to speculate, but I think appointing judges is a high priority for me in 2020."
Graham repeated his sentiment just last month, telling reporters that he was prepared to advance a nominee, even during this election year.
"Yeah. We'll cross that bridge," Graham said, NBC News reported. "After [Brett] Kavanaugh, the rules have changed as far as I'm concerned."
In a statement Friday evening, Graham expressed condolences over Ginsburg's passing. "Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer who possessed tremendous passion for her causes," he said. "While I had many differences with her on legal philosophy, I appreciate her service to our nation."
On Saturday morning, Trump was resolute in his call for Ginbsurg's seat to be filled immediately. He tweeted: "We have this obligation, without delay!"
A short time later, Graham responded. "I fully understand where President @realDonaldTrump is coming from," he said, retweeting the president's comments. "As to my view of filling a Supreme Court vacancy in 2020, I'd encourage you to review these most recent statements," he added, citing his remarks to NBC News in August that "the rules have changed."
Things are different now because of two moves made by Democrats over the past decade, Graham said. The first was when then-Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada changed Senate rules to allow for a simple majority vote for circuit court nominees.
The second, Graham said, was when "Chuck Schumer and his friends in the liberal media conspired to destroy the life of Brett Kavanaugh and hold that Supreme Court seat open."
Graham's explanation of the changing rules leaves out some important context. While it is true that the Democrat-controlled Senate invoked the so-called "nuclear option" in 2013 to make it easier to pass lower court judges in the face of Republican opposition, it was McConnell who raised the stakes in 2017, applying the same simple-majority rule to Supreme Court confirmations.
McConnell said Friday that whomever Trump nominates will get a Senate vote. That would go against Ginsburg's final wishes. In a statement dictated to her granddaughter just days before her death, Ginsburg urged delaying a vote to fill her seat. "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," she said.


npr--2020-09-19--Trump Says GOP Should Select A New Supreme Court Justice 'Without Delay'

Trump Says GOP Should Select A New Supreme Court Justice 'Without Delay' When President Trump learned Friday night that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died , he told reporters she was an `` amazing woman . ''
Later , in an official statement , he called her a `` titan of the law . ''
And while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , wrote in a statement that he would bring a vote for a new justice to the floor , Trump did not weigh in .
But in a tweet Saturday morning , Trump appeared to suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice on the court before Election Day .
`` @ GOP We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us , the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices , '' he tweeted .
`` We have this obligation , without delay ! ''
Moving forward with a nomination process weeks before a hotly contested election will put pressure on moderate Republicans senators like Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their preference to not confirm a new justice before the election .
Collins is facing the toughest reelection race of her Senate career .
On Friday , Murkowski told Alaska Public Media shortly before the announcement of Ginsburg 's death that she would not vote to confirm a nominee before the election .
Meanwhile , Democrats say the seat should be held open until after the election , especially given Republican refusals to consider President Barack Obama 's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the court roughly eight months before the 2016 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing a tight race in North Carolina , wrote that he will support Trump 's selection , saying that Garland 's nomination was put forward amid divided government and a lame-duck presidency .
In a nod to the court 's renewed importance as an election issue , Tillis mentioned his Democratic opponent by name and framed his Senate election and the nomination fight as intertwined .
`` There is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court between the well-qualified and conservative jurist President Trump will nominate and I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support , who will legislate radical , left-wing policies from the bench . ''

Trump Says GOP Should Select A New Supreme Court Justice 'Without Delay'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
When President Trump learned Friday night that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died, he told reporters she was an "amazing woman." Later, in an official statement, he called her a "titan of the law." And while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., wrote in a statement that he would bring a vote for a new justice to the floor, Trump did not weigh in.
But in a tweet Saturday morning, Trump appeared to suggest that he wanted to put a new justice on the court before Election Day.
"@GOP We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices," he tweeted. "We have this obligation, without delay!"
Moving forward with a nomination process weeks before a hotly contested election will put pressure on moderate Republicans senators like Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both recently expressed their preference to not confirm a new justice before the election.
Collins is facing the toughest reelection race of her Senate career. On Friday, Murkowski told Alaska Public Media shortly before the announcement of Ginsburg's death that she would not vote to confirm a nominee before the election.
Meanwhile, Democrats say the seat should be held open until after the election, especially given Republican refusals to consider President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the court roughly eight months before the 2016 election.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is facing a tight race in North Carolina, wrote that he will support Trump's selection, saying that Garland's nomination was put forward amid divided government and a lame-duck presidency. In a nod to the court's renewed importance as an election issue, Tillis mentioned his Democratic opponent by name and framed his Senate election and the nomination fight as intertwined.
"There is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court between the well-qualified and conservative jurist President Trump will nominate and I will support, and the liberal activist Joe Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support, who will legislate radical, left-wing policies from the bench."


npr--2020-09-19--Illinois Senator Dick Durbin On Filling The Supreme Court Vacancy

NPR 's Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , about the life and legacy of Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ and the political maneuvering following her death .

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin On Filling The Supreme Court Vacancy NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., about the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the political maneuvering following her death.
Politics Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin On Filling The Supreme Court Vacancy Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin On Filling The Supreme Court Vacancy Listen · 4:32 4:32 NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., about the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the political maneuvering following her death. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor


npr--2020-09-19--Trump's Supreme Court Pick Shrouded In Secrecy

Candidates on the short list for a Supreme Court vacancy undergo intense vetting that typically culminates in a one-on-one interview with the president .
The process is shrouded in secrecy , but President Trump 's flair for the dramatic has introduced a sense of showmanship to the highly choreographed rollout .
In January 2017 , a journalist at CNN corralled federal appeals court Judge Thomas Hardiman as he stopped at a gas station in Pennsylvania to fill up his tank .
The reporter asked whether Hardiman was on his way to Washington , D.C. , for a ceremony to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalia .
The judge held up his hand to the camera , and rushed into his car without answering the question .
Hardiman , who earned money for law school by driving a taxicab , had been a favorite of the president 's sister , Maryanne Trump Barry , who served alongside him on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit .
It later emerged that the White House secretly flew its pick for high court , Neil Gorsuch , to D.C. on a military jet , and that he stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid detection before a prime-time announcement that featured Gorsuch walking down a red carpet .
For his next Supreme Court vacancy , the president spoke with a number of lawyers , including Amy Coney Barrett , a former Notre Dame law professor who now sits on the federal appeals court for the Seventh Circuit .
Barrett has seven children , including two who were adopted from Haiti .
Democratic senators have highlighted her conservative Catholic roots and warned she could offer a decisive vote to overturn the landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Affordable Care Act 's birth-control benefit in 2012 and five years later , she wrote a paper in which she criticized John Roberts ' decision to uphold the ACA 's penalty as a tax , reasoning that the chief justice had pushed the law known as Obamacare `` beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute . ''
Those writings drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer the last time Barrett made Trump 's shortlist .
But after Barrett met with Trump in 2018 , one news report suggested Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court watchers to believe she had not made a good impression with the president .
He ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh to fill the seat made vacant by Justice Anthony Kennedy 's retirement .
Trump 's advisers view his 200-plus appointments to lifetime seats on the federal bench as his most enduring legacy , and they have been adding to the list of Supreme Court candidates in recent weeks .
One new name on the list is Judge James Ho , of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit .
Ho , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typifies the Trump judicial nominee : young , conservative and unafraid to court controversy .

Trump's Supreme Court Pick Shrouded In Secrecy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
Candidates on the short list for a Supreme Court vacancy undergo intense vetting that typically culminates in a one-on-one interview with the president.
The process is shrouded in secrecy, but President Trump's flair for the dramatic has introduced a sense of showmanship to the highly choreographed rollout.
In January 2017, a journalist at CNN corralled federal appeals court Judge Thomas Hardiman as he stopped at a gas station in Pennsylvania to fill up his tank. The reporter asked whether Hardiman was on his way to Washington, D.C., for a ceremony to announce the replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. The judge held up his hand to the camera, and rushed into his car without answering the question.
Hardiman, who earned money for law school by driving a taxicab, had been a favorite of the president's sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, who served alongside him on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. It later emerged that the White House secretly flew its pick for high court, Neil Gorsuch, to D.C. on a military jet, and that he stayed in the home of a friend to avoid detection before a prime-time announcement that featured Gorsuch walking down a red carpet.
For his next Supreme Court vacancy, the president spoke with a number of lawyers, including Amy Coney Barrett, a former Notre Dame law professor who now sits on the federal appeals court for the Seventh Circuit. Barrett has seven children, including two who were adopted from Haiti. Democratic senators have highlighted her conservative Catholic roots and warned she could offer a decisive vote to overturn the landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade.
Barrett signed a public statement against the Affordable Care Act's birth-control benefit in 2012 and five years later, she wrote a paper in which she criticized John Roberts' decision to uphold the ACA's penalty as a tax, reasoning that the chief justice had pushed the law known as Obamacare "beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute."
Those writings drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer the last time Barrett made Trump's shortlist.
But after Barrett met with Trump in 2018, one news report suggested Trump had cut short the session, leading some court watchers to believe she had not made a good impression with the president. He ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh to fill the seat made vacant by Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement.
Trump's advisers view his 200-plus appointments to lifetime seats on the federal bench as his most enduring legacy, and they have been adding to the list of Supreme Court candidates in recent weeks.
One new name on the list is Judge James Ho, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ho, the son of immigrants from Taiwan, typifies the Trump judicial nominee: young, conservative and unafraid to court controversy.


npr--2020-09-20--How Joe Biden's Faith Shapes His Politics

When Joe Biden seeks to inspire or comfort , he turns to his faith .
He speeches are woven with references to God , biblical language or the pope .
On Monday , the Democratic presidential nominee spoke to the faith-based anti-poverty group the Poor People 's Campaign , and described the United States under President Trump as a `` nation in the wilderness . ''
`` All of you remind me of how Scripture describes a calling born out of the wilderness , '' Biden told the virtual audience .
`` A calling to serve , not to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healing , hope — not hate .
To speak the good news , and followed by some good deeds .
It 's not just enough to speak the good news , but good deeds . ''
This was n't a one-off religious reference ; this is how Biden routinely speaks .
The former vice president launched his candidacy by referring to his campaign as a `` battle for the soul of the nation . ''
It was the central theme of his primary run , and remains a core tenet of his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the second Catholic president in American history .
It 's not a detail he highlights , but people who know him well say his Catholic faith is central to how he sees the world .
Biden , who carries a rosary in his pocket and attends Mass every Sunday , is known as a deeply devout person of faith , and his campaign sees electoral implications in that — in part because Biden has tried to frame this election as a clear moral contrast between Trump and himself .
Some Democrats would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is running perhaps the most overtly devout Democratic presidential campaign since Jimmy Carter in 1976 .
John McCarthy , Biden 's deputy political director , worked on faith outreach for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election , and acknowledges Biden 's campaign is different than others .
`` Campaigns obviously stem from who a candidate is , and because this is such a true part of Joe Biden , this is something that is just in the core messaging of our campaign , '' McCarthy said .
Part of that distinction is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other part is cultural .
`` Part of him being who he is , he has these kind of touchstones that so deeply resonate with the kind of cultural Catholicism in those kind of places like the Ohio and Pennsylvania of the world , '' McCarthy said .
During Holy Week this past spring , the campaign released a video in which Biden spoke about faith seeing best in the dark , juxtaposed with images of the coronavirus pandemic .
And when he delivered a eulogy for George Floyd and called for racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Catholic social doctrine that taught him `` faith without works is dead . ''
`` It 's not like we are just talking about faith to faith voters , but instead the vice president is being who he authentically is — which is a person of faith — and that is obviously coming across , '' McCarthy said .
Allies say Biden 's faith informs his values and , in turn , his values shape his politics .
`` Joe is someone for whom the ways in which he sees issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of refugees and immigrants — all of that is connected to a view of other people — who he sees as neighbor , who he sees as being made in the image of God , '' said Delaware Sen. Chris Coons , who 's known Biden for decades .
And so Biden 's stances on a range of social and environmental issues , Coons added , are not `` casual political positions ; '' they 're informed by his upbringing and go back , he said , to `` a deeply rooted sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents and from the nuns and priests who educated and helped raise him . ''
Sister Carol Keehan , who 's often credited as a key player in the passage of the Affordable Care Act when she was president of the Catholic Health Association , agreed .
`` He 's very clear about justice , '' she said .
`` When Joe Biden talks about faith , he talks very much about things like the Gospel of Matthew — 'what you 've done to the least of my brother , you 've done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers say Biden focuses on faith , rather than religious doctrine ; he prays with voters , rather than proselytizes .
And yet for some religious conservatives , all of that pales in comparison to the single issue of abortion .
Earlier this week , the conservative group Catholic Vote released an ad referring to `` Joe Biden 's radical stance on abortion . ''
`` Joe Biden would force American Catholics to pay for abortions , sacrificing his Catholic values to kneel before the leftist mob , '' the narrator warns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has become more consistently liberal on the issue of abortion .
Last year , he reversed his decades-old position on the so-called Hyde Amendment , which bans federal dollars from funding abortion in most cases .
Polling from the Pew Research Center finds that a majority of American Catholics believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases .
For his part , Trump has tried to portray Biden as a heathen .
Last month the president attacked the Democratic nominee for being a man `` against God . ''
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have made religion a cultural issue , painting Democrats as the party against religious freedom .
The struggle for Trump in trying to define Biden as a godless man is that Biden is the rather rare Democratic politician whose faith has been in public view for decades .
And Sen. Coons thinks that 's an asset .
`` I think one of the mistakes Democrats have made over decades is to be very private about the values that move them into public life , '' he said .
`` If we — as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 years — hide that or do n't speak about it , millions of Americans are left wondering what drives you . ''
With Biden , staff and allies say , it 's obvious what drives him .
Josh Dickson , national faith engagement director for the Biden campaign , says the former vice president `` wears his values and his faith on his sleeve . ''
And because faith is such a core part of Biden 's identity , some staff say it 's become a core part of the campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious Democrats to walk .
Fewer voters identify as Christian , as the share of people who identify with no religion has jumped in recent years , according to polling from the Pew Research Center .
In 2019 , almost 40 % of Democratic-leaning voters were religiously unaffiliated .

How Joe Biden's Faith Shapes His Politics
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
When Joe Biden seeks to inspire or comfort, he turns to his faith. He speeches are woven with references to God, biblical language or the pope.
On Monday, the Democratic presidential nominee spoke to the faith-based anti-poverty group the Poor People's Campaign, and described the United States under President Trump as a "nation in the wilderness."
"All of you remind me of how Scripture describes a calling born out of the wilderness," Biden told the virtual audience. "A calling to serve, not to be served. A calling toward justice, healing, hope — not hate. To speak the good news, and followed by some good deeds. It's not just enough to speak the good news, but good deeds."
This wasn't a one-off religious reference; this is how Biden routinely speaks.
The former vice president launched his candidacy by referring to his campaign as a "battle for the soul of the nation." It was the central theme of his primary run, and remains a core tenet of his campaign. If elected, Biden would become only the second Catholic president in American history. It's not a detail he highlights, but people who know him well say his Catholic faith is central to how he sees the world.
Biden, who carries a rosary in his pocket and attends Mass every Sunday, is known as a deeply devout person of faith, and his campaign sees electoral implications in that — in part because Biden has tried to frame this election as a clear moral contrast between Trump and himself.
Some Democrats would go so far as to say that Biden is running perhaps the most overtly devout Democratic presidential campaign since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
John McCarthy, Biden's deputy political director, worked on faith outreach for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, and acknowledges Biden's campaign is different than others.
"Campaigns obviously stem from who a candidate is, and because this is such a true part of Joe Biden, this is something that is just in the core messaging of our campaign," McCarthy said.
Part of that distinction is about values and policy, but the other part is cultural.
"Part of him being who he is, he has these kind of touchstones that so deeply resonate with the kind of cultural Catholicism in those kind of places like the Ohio and Pennsylvania of the world," McCarthy said.
During Holy Week this past spring, the campaign released a video in which Biden spoke about faith seeing best in the dark, juxtaposed with images of the coronavirus pandemic. And when he delivered a eulogy for George Floyd and called for racial justice, he spoke of growing up with a Catholic social doctrine that taught him "faith without works is dead."
"It's not like we are just talking about faith to faith voters, but instead the vice president is being who he authentically is — which is a person of faith — and that is obviously coming across," McCarthy said.
Allies say Biden's faith informs his values and, in turn, his values shape his politics.
"Joe is someone for whom the ways in which he sees issues around racial justice, around the treatment of refugees and immigrants — all of that is connected to a view of other people — who he sees as neighbor, who he sees as being made in the image of God," said Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, who's known Biden for decades.
And so Biden's stances on a range of social and environmental issues, Coons added, are not "casual political positions;" they're informed by his upbringing and go back, he said, to "a deeply rooted sense of fairness that he learned from his parents and from the nuns and priests who educated and helped raise him."
Sister Carol Keehan, who's often credited as a key player in the passage of the Affordable Care Act when she was president of the Catholic Health Association, agreed.
"He's very clear about justice," she said. "When Joe Biden talks about faith, he talks very much about things like the Gospel of Matthew — 'what you've done to the least of my brother, you've done to me.' "
Friends and staffers say Biden focuses on faith, rather than religious doctrine; he prays with voters, rather than proselytizes.
And yet for some religious conservatives, all of that pales in comparison to the single issue of abortion. Earlier this week, the conservative group Catholic Vote released an ad referring to "Joe Biden's radical stance on abortion."
"Joe Biden would force American Catholics to pay for abortions, sacrificing his Catholic values to kneel before the leftist mob," the narrator warns.
Over his years in public life, Biden has become more consistently liberal on the issue of abortion. Last year, he reversed his decades-old position on the so-called Hyde Amendment, which bans federal dollars from funding abortion in most cases. Polling from the Pew Research Center finds that a majority of American Catholics believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
For his part, Trump has tried to portray Biden as a heathen. Last month the president attacked the Democratic nominee for being a man "against God." And more broadly, Trump and his supporters have made religion a cultural issue, painting Democrats as the party against religious freedom.
The struggle for Trump in trying to define Biden as a godless man is that Biden is the rather rare Democratic politician whose faith has been in public view for decades.
And Sen. Coons thinks that's an asset.
"I think one of the mistakes Democrats have made over decades is to be very private about the values that move them into public life," he said. "If we — as many Democrats in elected office have for 20 years — hide that or don't speak about it, millions of Americans are left wondering what drives you."
With Biden, staff and allies say, it's obvious what drives him.
Josh Dickson, national faith engagement director for the Biden campaign, says the former vice president "wears his values and his faith on his sleeve."
And because faith is such a core part of Biden's identity, some staff say it's become a core part of the campaign.
But it's also a tightrope for religious Democrats to walk. Fewer voters identify as Christian, as the share of people who identify with no religion has jumped in recent years, according to polling from the Pew Research Center. In 2019, almost 40% of Democratic-leaning voters were religiously unaffiliated.


npr--2020-09-20--Advances In ICU Care Are Saving More Patients Who Have COVID-19

Advances In ICU Care Are Saving More Patients Who Have COVID-19 If you think all the coronavirus news is bad , consider the uplifting story of Don Ramsayer .
The 59-year-old man from Cumming , Ga. , is living evidence that doctors in intensive care units quickly figured out how to help more patients survive .
In early August , Ramsayer was helping his son pack up the car for his freshman year at The Citadel , the Military College of South Carolina .
Ramsayer had been having night sweats and was n't feeling that well , but he tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the last box packed and it was ready to go in the car , and I finally succumbed to my sister and kids , who said 'Dad , something 's wrong .
Go to the hospital . '
'' Ramsayer , a software designer and self-described gym rat , had been diagnosed in November with a slow-moving form of leukemia .
But the doctors at Emory Johns Creek Hospital , northeast of Atlanta , ran a few tests and concluded that his new symptoms were actually from COVID-19 .
He was admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sicker over the weekend .
Ramsayer recalls the doctors phoned his sister and told her to prepare for the worst , `` because they did not think I was going to make it . ''
As his health declined , doctors `` basically threw everything in the kitchen sink at me , '' he says .
`` Almost like Sherlock Holmes .
'What can we try here ?
What can we try there to get in front of these things ? '
`` Doctors gave him a newly available antiviral drug , remdesivir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called convalescent plasma .
That involves transfusions of blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 and carry antibodies that might help fight the virus .
He also ended up on a ventilator for nine days , under heavy sedation .
Ramsayer himself rather unexpectedly ended that phase of his treatment .
`` Somehow I got out of the straps , '' he says in an interview from his hospital bed .
`` I completely unhooked myself ... and pulled the breathing tube out .
And here 's the really funny thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They had me on all kinds of stuff and how I was even conscious , they are n't even sure of that .
The first thing I do is I say , 'Can I have a Coke ? '
`` He says doctors at first considered reinserting the breathing tube , but they saw he could breathe on this own well enough .
`` I continued to improve from that point forward , '' he says .
Ramsayer 's story is remarkable , considering his cancer and the complications of his case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique .
`` We have very much replicated what 's been seen worldwide , which is over time the mortality in ICUs have decreased , '' says Dr. Craig Coopersmith , director of the Emory Critical Care Center .
He oversees ICUs at five hospitals in the Emory system , including Johns Creek .
The decline in mortality related to COVID-19 varies month to month .
At Emory it has been in the range of 20 % to 50 % .
Coopersmith says there are lots of reasons for that .
A big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of Covid-19 hit Atlanta 's hospitals in April , doctors had no experience with the disease .
Medical management of these patients is now , by comparison , routine .
`` There 's certainly nothing routine about the pandemic , '' Coopersmith says , `` but in terms of how we 're managing it , once you have taken care of something for the tenth time , it is normal . ''
Doctors can better handle common and serious complications like blood clots .
They realized that patients do better if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Patients in Emory hospitals are encouraged to spend some time lying on their stomachs .
That simple effort sometimes is enough to keep them out of the intensive-care unit .
Ramsayer found it uncomfortable to sleep on his stomach — he says he has a couple of blown disks as a result of his days as a powerlifter — but he did sleep on his side when he could .
And while no medicine can cure COVID-19 , a series of studies showed that steroids can benefit the sickest patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had not been using steroids such as dexamethasone routinely to treat COVID-19 until a major study from the United Kingdom showed that these drugs reduce the risk of death among seriously ill patients .
`` So that 's a tremendous success story , '' Coopersmith says .
`` In just a few months we have a drug which is easily available everywhere and quite cheap , and which improves survival significantly in the ICU patient population . ''
Indeed , steroids were part of Ramsayer 's treatment .
The trend in improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units around the world .
Even so , people treated in the ICU for COVID-19 are at higher risk of death than is the case for other viral lung diseases .
Across the United States , hundreds of people still die daily from COVID-19 .
Coopersmith credits some of the improvements in treatment to scientific advances , as was the case for steroids .
He says it also helped that , for the past six months , all the attending physicians shared their observations and ideas with one another on a daily text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the art of medicine . ''
Ramsayer also credits his own deep faith in God for getting him through the ordeal .
When we spoke , he was getting ready to be discharged after more than five weeks in the hospital .
`` I 'm walking , sitting , I can get around .
My only limitation is just my oxygen requirement , '' he says .
He considers that a mere inconvenience .
He 's eager to return to his work as a software designer , and to keep working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for his leukemia .
`` That 's something we 'll tackle once I get back on my feet . ''
You can contact NPR Science Correspondent Richard Harris at rharris @ npr.org .

Advances In ICU Care Are Saving More Patients Who Have COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images
If you think all the coronavirus news is bad, consider the uplifting story of Don Ramsayer.
The 59-year-old man from Cumming, Ga., is living evidence that doctors in intensive care units quickly figured out how to help more patients survive.
In early August, Ramsayer was helping his son pack up the car for his freshman year at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. Ramsayer had been having night sweats and wasn't feeling that well, but he tried to play it down.
"We got the last box packed and it was ready to go in the car, and I finally succumbed to my sister and kids, who said 'Dad, something's wrong. Go to the hospital.'"
Ramsayer, a software designer and self-described gym rat, had been diagnosed in November with a slow-moving form of leukemia. But the doctors at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, northeast of Atlanta, ran a few tests and concluded that his new symptoms were actually from COVID-19.
He was admitted to the hospital and got sicker and sicker over the weekend. Ramsayer recalls the doctors phoned his sister and told her to prepare for the worst, "because they did not think I was going to make it."
As his health declined, doctors "basically threw everything in the kitchen sink at me," he says. "Almost like Sherlock Holmes. 'What can we try here? What can we try there to get in front of these things?' "
Doctors gave him a newly available antiviral drug, remdesivir, as well as an experimental treatment called convalescent plasma. That involves transfusions of blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 and carry antibodies that might help fight the virus.
He also ended up on a ventilator for nine days, under heavy sedation.
toggle caption Don and Melanie Ramsayer
Ramsayer himself rather unexpectedly ended that phase of his treatment.
"Somehow I got out of the straps," he says in an interview from his hospital bed. "I completely unhooked myself ... and pulled the breathing tube out. And here's the really funny thing. I'm obviously pretty doped up. They had me on all kinds of stuff and how I was even conscious, they aren't even sure of that. The first thing I do is I say, 'Can I have a Coke?' "
He says doctors at first considered reinserting the breathing tube, but they saw he could breathe on this own well enough.
"I continued to improve from that point forward," he says.
Ramsayer's story is remarkable, considering his cancer and the complications of his case. But this story is far from unique.
"We have very much replicated what's been seen worldwide, which is over time the mortality in ICUs have decreased," says Dr. Craig Coopersmith, director of the Emory Critical Care Center. He oversees ICUs at five hospitals in the Emory system, including Johns Creek.
The decline in mortality related to COVID-19 varies month to month. At Emory it has been in the range of 20% to 50%. Coopersmith says there are lots of reasons for that.
A big one is that, when the first wave of Covid-19 hit Atlanta's hospitals in April, doctors had no experience with the disease. Medical management of these patients is now, by comparison, routine.
"There's certainly nothing routine about the pandemic," Coopersmith says, "but in terms of how we're managing it, once you have taken care of something for the tenth time, it is normal."
Doctors can better handle common and serious complications like blood clots. They realized that patients do better if they aren't lying on their backs all the time. Patients in Emory hospitals are encouraged to spend some time lying on their stomachs. That simple effort sometimes is enough to keep them out of the intensive-care unit.
toggle caption Don and Melanie Ramsayer
Ramsayer found it uncomfortable to sleep on his stomach — he says he has a couple of blown disks as a result of his days as a powerlifter — but he did sleep on his side when he could.
And while no medicine can cure COVID-19, a series of studies showed that steroids can benefit the sickest patients.
Emory, like many medical centers, had not been using steroids such as dexamethasone routinely to treat COVID-19 until a major study from the United Kingdom showed that these drugs reduce the risk of death among seriously ill patients.
"So that's a tremendous success story," Coopersmith says. "In just a few months we have a drug which is easily available everywhere and quite cheap, and which improves survival significantly in the ICU patient population."
Indeed, steroids were part of Ramsayer's treatment.
The trend in improving survival has been documented in intensive care units around the world. Even so, people treated in the ICU for COVID-19 are at higher risk of death than is the case for other viral lung diseases. Across the United States, hundreds of people still die daily from COVID-19.
Coopersmith credits some of the improvements in treatment to scientific advances, as was the case for steroids. He says it also helped that, for the past six months, all the attending physicians shared their observations and ideas with one another on a daily text chat, "and in that we find the art of medicine."
Ramsayer also credits his own deep faith in God for getting him through the ordeal. When we spoke, he was getting ready to be discharged after more than five weeks in the hospital.
"I'm walking, sitting, I can get around. My only limitation is just my oxygen requirement," he says. He considers that a mere inconvenience.
He's eager to return to his work as a software designer, and to keep working with his doctors to figure out the right treatment for his leukemia.
"That's something we'll tackle once I get back on my feet."
You can contact NPR Science Correspondent Richard Harris at rharris@npr.org.


npr--2020-09-20--TikTok Ban Averted: Trump Gives Oracle-Walmart Deal His 'Blessing'

President Trump has given tentative approval to a deal that will keep TikTok alive in the U.S. , resolving a months-long confrontation between a hit app popularized by lip-syncing teens and White House officials who viewed the service as a national security risk .
TikTok downloads were set to be banned in the U.S. starting on midnight Sunday , but that has now been averted .
`` I have given the deal my blessing , '' Trump said .
`` I approve the deal in concept . ''
As part of the deal rescuing TikTok , U.S. tech company Oracle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new entity called TikTok Global , which will be headquartered in the U.S. That arrangement appears to satisfy the White House 's concerns over the security of American user data , even though ByteDance is expected to hold its majority ownership position .
With the ties to ByteDance remaining , some experts in technology privacy were skeptical that the deal would meaningfully address the national security concerns that first launched Washington 's scrutiny on TikTok .
`` The interactions with the Chinese government , and the ability of the Chinese government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still substantial , '' said Chris Kelly , the former chief privacy officer at Facebook .
`` It wo n't be strange to have interaction between the two companies on a number of different issues , including algorithmic operations , so that could stretch into personal data pretty easily , '' Kelly said in an interview .
TikTok , which has some 100 million active monthly users in the United States , is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance .
For months , the Trump administration has been pushing TikTok to sever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House and some Democrats in Washington fear China 's authoritarian regime could access Americans ' data through the app and use the information to blackmail or launch disinformation campaigns .
Under the new arrangement , Oracle will host all of TikTok 's U.S. user data and will safeguard the TikTok 's computer systems `` to ensure U.S. national security requirements are fully satisfied , '' TikTok said in a statement .
`` While we strongly disagree with the implications of TikTok as a national security threat , we nonetheless understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interim Head of TikTok in a statement .
`` We 're pleased that today we 've confirmed a proposal that resolves the Administration 's security concerns and settles questions around TikTok 's future in the U.S. '' Analysts say Oracle 's cloud computing business will receive a major boost as result of the deal .
Oracle has been lagging behind competitors , like Amazon , Microsoft and Google for cloud storage business .
Oracle executives have close ties to President Trump .
`` We are a hundred percent confident in our ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ensure data privacy to TikTok 's American users , and users throughout the world , '' said Oracle CEO Safra Catz , who served on Trump 's 2016 transition team .
Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison is among the few tech leaders in Silicon Valley who supports the president .
Back in February , Ellison hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his estate in Rancho Mirage , Calif. , just south of Palm Springs .
Analysts said Walmart also stands to reap much benefit by tapping into a vast consumer base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major investor in the new TikTok company , Walmart said it will bring its e-commerce `` retail capabilities '' to the app , which could allow TikTok users to shop on Walmart online store through TikTok .
A major sticking point in the negotiations centered on how much of a stake Beijing-based ByteDance would have in TikTok 's U.S .
operation.
, as officials in Washington worried that any ByteDance ownership could give the Chinese company a backdoor to access Americans ' data .
Oracle and Walmart are planning to own a combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials at TikTok said .
Beijing-based ByteDance is expected to own about 80 % of the company , but since 40 % of ByteDance is owned by U.S. investors , TikTok Global says it is majority-owned by American investors , according to a person familiar with the deal .
Still , ByteDance owning 80 % of TikTok would not appear to satisfy the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States , known as CFIUS , a panel led by the Treasury that examines U.S. business transactions with ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August requiring ByteDance to completely divest from its U.S. TikTok operations by November 12 .
The fate of that order is murky .
`` They 're really moving the goalposts here , '' said a former CFIUS official , who asked not be named for fear of retaliation from the administration .
`` ByteDance is still the biggest dog in this deal .
The foreign control issue does not go away . ''
Four out of the five members of TikTok Global 's Board of Directors will be Americans , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the four U.S. board members is Walmart CEO Doug McMillon .
Oracle and Walmart officials say that TikTok Global will create more than 25,000 new jobs and pay $ 5 billion in taxes to the Treasury , though specifics were not provided , like over what period those taxes were expected to be paid .
In addition , TikTok Global said it will develop an educational curriculum driven by artificial intelligence to teach children basic reading , history and other subjects .
It comes just days after Trump said he is creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to counter the teaching of American slavery and racism in classrooms .
Treasury officials say the deal still needs to be finalized by Oracle and Walmart .
CFIUS will also have to sign off on the agreement .
TikTok plans to raise money ahead of a planned initial public offering on the stock market in less than a year .

TikTok Ban Averted: Trump Gives Oracle-Walmart Deal His 'Blessing'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated 12:55 a.m. ET
President Trump has given tentative approval to a deal that will keep TikTok alive in the U.S., resolving a months-long confrontation between a hit app popularized by lip-syncing teens and White House officials who viewed the service as a national security risk.
TikTok downloads were set to be banned in the U.S. starting at midnight Sunday, but that has now been averted.
"I have given the deal my blessing," Trump said. "I approve the deal in concept."
As part of the deal rescuing TikTok, U.S. tech company Oracle is joining hands with Walmart to form a new entity called TikTok Global, which will be headquartered in the United States.
That arrangement appears to satisfy the White House's concerns over the security of American user data, even though Chinese tech company ByteDance is expected to hold its majority-ownership position.
With the ties to ByteDance remaining, some experts in technology privacy are skeptical that the deal would meaningfully address the national security concerns that first launched Washington's scrutiny of TikTok.
"The interactions with the Chinese government, and the ability of the Chinese government to put pressure on the ByteDance company, is still substantial," said Chris Kelly, former chief privacy officer at Facebook.
"It won't be strange to have interaction between the two companies on a number of different issues, including algorithmic operations, so that could stretch into personal data pretty easily," Kelly said in an interview.
TikTok, which has some 100 million active monthly users in the U.S., is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance. For months, the Trump administration has been pushing TikTok to sever its ties to ByteDance. Officials in the White House and some Democrats in Washington fear China's authoritarian regime could access Americans' data through the app and use the information to blackmail or launch disinformation campaigns.
Under the new arrangement, Oracle will host all of TikTok's U.S. user data and will safeguard TikTok's computer systems "to ensure U.S. national security requirements are fully satisfied," TikTok said in a statement.
"While we strongly disagree with the implications of TikTok as a national security threat, we nonetheless understand the concerns," wrote Vanessa Pappas, interim head of TikTok, in a statement on Saturday. "We're pleased that today we've confirmed a proposal that resolves the Administration's security concerns and settles questions around TikTok's future in the US."
Analysts say Oracle's cloud computing business will receive a major boost as a result of the deal. Oracle has been lagging behind competitors, such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google, for cloud storage business. Oracle executives have close ties to Trump.
"We are a hundred percent confident in our ability to deliver a highly secure environment to TikTok and ensure data privacy to TikTok's American users, and users throughout the world," said Oracle CEO Safra Catz, who served on Trump's 2016 transition team.
Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison is among the few tech leaders in Silicon Valley who supports the president. Back in February, Ellison hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his estate in Rancho Mirage, Calif., just south of Palm Springs.
Analysts said Walmart also stands to reap much benefit by tapping into a vast consumer base of mostly young people.
Besides being a major investor in the new TikTok company, Walmart said it will bring its e-commerce "retail capabilities" to the app, which could allow TikTok users to shop Walmart online through TikTok.
A major sticking point in the negotiations centered on how much of a stake Beijing-based ByteDance would have in TikTok's U.S. operation., as officials in Washington worried that any ByteDance ownership could give the Chinese company a backdoor to access Americans' data.
Oracle and Walmart are planning to own a combined 20% of the new TikTok entity, officials at TikTok said.
ByteDance is expected to own about 80% of the company, but since 40% of ByteDance is owned by U.S. investors, TikTok Global says it is majority owned by American investors, according to a person familiar with the deal.
Still, ByteDance owning 80% of TikTok would not appear to satisfy the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as CFIUS, a panel led by the Treasury that examines U.S. business transactions with ties overseas.
Trump signed an order in August requiring ByteDance to completely divest from its U.S. TikTok operations by Nov. 12. The fate of that order is murky.
"They're really moving the goal posts here," said a former CFIUS official, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation from the administration. "ByteDance is still the biggest dog in this deal. The foreign control issue does not go away."
Four out of the five members of TikTok Global's board of directors will be Americans, according to a joint statement from Oracle and Walmart. Among the four U.S. board members is Walmart CEO Doug McMillon.
Oracle and Walmart officials say that TikTok Global will create more than 25,000 new jobs and pay $5 billion in taxes to the Treasury, though specifics were not provided, such as over what period those taxes were expected to be paid.
In addition, TikTok Global said it will develop an educational curriculum driven by artificial intelligence to teach children basic reading, history and other subjects. It comes just days after Trump said he is creating a commission to promote "patriotic education" to counter the teaching of American slavery and racism in classrooms.
Treasury officials say the deal still needs to be finalized by Oracle and Walmart. CFIUS will also have to sign off on the agreement.
TikTok plans to raise money ahead of a planned initial public offering on the stock market in less than a year.