Kamala Harris Reacts To The Death Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
On September 18th, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg tragically passed away at 87. The "Notorious R.B.G." served as an advocate for the American Civil Liberties Union before becoming a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C. (via CNN). In 1993, she was appointed to the highest court in the land. Ginsburg had bravely fought through five rounds of cancer, and her eventual death was due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer.
Some of the most important figures in Washington have commented on Ginsburg's passing, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris has joined the voices praising the trailblazing justice. Her comments came shortly after her running mate, Joe Biden, shared his own tribute. Biden reflected on presiding over Ginsburg's confirmation hearing, and called her "not only a giant in the legal profession but a beloved figure" (via CNN).
Kamala Harris reflected on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death falling on the eve of Rosh Hashanah
In a respectful tribute on Twitter, Kamala Harris praised Ginsburg's legal mind. "For all who believe in the power of the law as a force for change, Justice Ginsburg was and will always be a titan. She was a relentless defender of justice in our country and a legal mind for the ages." Harris also reflected on Ginsburg's immigrant roots and Brooklyn background.
Of course, Harris's mind wasn't only on Ginsburg's legacy. Like Obama, Harris brought up Ginsburg's comments about how she hoped her legacy would be honored. Harris wrote, "In some of her final moments with her family, [Ginsburg] shared her fervent wish to 'not be replaced until a new President is installed.' We will honor that wish." Clearly, Harris intends to lead the fight to block a Supreme Court nominee from Trump, as the Republican-led Senate did in 2016 with Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland (via NY Mag).
Harris also reflected on the timing of Ginsburg's death falling before the Jewish High Holiday Rosh Hashanah. "According to Jewish tradition, on Rosh Hashanah we begin a period of reflection," Harris wrote. "Tonight, we reflect on the legacy of Justice Ginsburg and we honor her belief in creating a fair and just world by recommitting to fight for that justice."