U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a man who wielded massive influence on conservative thought and practice over three decades spent on the highest court in the land, died Saturday at the age of 79, leaving a gaping hole in the center of the government’s judicial branch, and American politics in general. His passing sets up a huge election year fight over who might replace him, and whether conservatives in Congress will even allow a vote to proceed during President Barack Obama’s remaining months in office.
See below for some initial tweets and reactions from court-watchers and political onlookers; look for more coverage on AvvoStories as the situation develops.
Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 13, 2016
Never one for subtlety, Justice Scalia found the perfect way to remind America that it actually matters who we pick for president this year.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia was an American hero, one of the greatest Supreme Ct Justices in history. Our thoughts and prayers are with his dear family.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia was a defender of the constitution, an important conservative voice in the court. He will be missed. https://t.co/cOB3juvx7A
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia, who aggressively and often sarcastically opposed every civil rights gain over last 3 decades, dies. https://t.co/dAa9vxBY5Y
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) February 13, 2016
Seems close to 100% that every remaining GOP presidential candidate will demand no Scalia replacement until after the election
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 13, 2016
The totally unexpected loss of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a massive setback for the Conservative movement and our COUNTRY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalia's family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing. pic.twitter.com/Y51xUMMEId
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia's views,often dissenting, destroyed the pretension of leftwing efforts to eliminate the American system of constitutional law
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) February 13, 2016
What is less than zero? The chances of Obama successfully appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia?
— Conn Carroll (@conncarroll) February 13, 2016