Chuck Schumer pledges Democrats will stop conservative court picks by Trump

Incoming Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has vowed that Democrats will stop President Donald Trump from appointing any conservative jurists to the US supreme court, signaling an assertive stance once the party takes control of Congress in January.

Speaking to the Associated Press following decisive midterm election victories, Schumer said Democratic senators would refuse to approve substandard picks across the federal judiciary and the presidential cabinet. His comments come as Democrats prepare to govern with robust majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, aiming to counter the White House's agenda and aggressively scrutinize judicial vacancies.

Four sitting supreme court justices are currently in their 70s, including conservative stalwarts Clarence Thomas, 78, and Samuel Alito, 76. While a Republican-controlled Senate remains seated for roughly six weeks, neither justice appears poised to step aside. Alito stated in an interview with Fox News that he intends to remain on the bench through the end of the term despite the election outcome, while Thomas has shown no intention of stepping down. During his previous administration, Trump successfully appointed Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, establishing a 6-3 conservative majority that has largely favored his initiatives.

Democrats have secured at least 54 seats in the Senate, with uncalled contests in Mississippi and Alaska potentially expanding their advantage to 56. In the House, the party flipped more than 40 seats, reaching a total of at least 253 lawmakers. In addition to judicial nominations, party leaders intend to target legislative priorities such as reversing Medicaid cuts enacted under Trump and halting federal expenditures tied to military conflict with Iran. Representative Robert Garcia, incoming chairman of the House oversight committee, also signaled imminent investigations into administration figures.

The midterm losses have generated public recriminations among prominent Republicans. Vice-President JD Vance noted voter anger over the conflict with Iran, while Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized the economic impact of administration tariffs on consumer prices. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pointed to congressional votes regarding files related to Jeffrey Epstein as a political liability.

Meanwhile, Trump has spent recent days showcasing architectural initiatives in Washington, DC, including renovations to the White House ballroom and changes to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A federal judge on Friday paused preliminary construction on a proposed triumphal arch project for two weeks, following approval from an administrative panel. Trump has signaled he will use his veto authority against bills passed by the incoming Democratic majorities.