Biden Says Ginsburg’s Successor Should Be Chosen by Election Winner

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks to reporters about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg upon arrival at New Castle County Airport in New Castle, Del., on Sept. 18, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said that the next U.S. Supreme Court justice should be chosen by the winner of the November presidential election.

“There is no doubt—let me be clear—that the voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice for the Senate to consider,” the former vice president told reporters on Friday at an airport in New Castle, Delaware, after learning of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.

The Supreme Court late Friday announced that Ginsburg, 87, died due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer. She was surrounded by family at her home in Washington.

She is survived by two children, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

“Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague,” Chief Justice John Roberts said of Ginsburg. “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.”

The Supreme Court announced that a private interment service for Ginsburg will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

People gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, on Sept. 18, 2020. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, on Sept. 18, 2020. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

President Donald Trump late Friday said he was sad to hear of Ginsburg’s death.

“She just died? Wow. I didn’t know that. I just … you’re telling me now for the first time,” he told a reporter on the tarmac of Bemidji Regional Airport in Minnesota.

“She led an amazing life, what else can you say? She was an amazing woman, whether you agree or not, she was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I’m actually sad to hear that. I’m sad to hear that.”

Ginsburg joined the Supreme Court in 1993 as an appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton. Her appointment was the second female appointment to the court.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said late Friday that he would allow a vote on the Senate floor for Trump’s nominee for a justice to replace the vacancy left by Ginsburg.

“President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate,” he said in a statement.

McConnell has previously said that if there were to be a vacancy on the court during this year’s election cycle, the Republican-controlled Senate would likely confirm a nominee selected by Trump.

NPR reported that just days prior to her death, Ginsburg told her granddaughter that her “most fervent wish” is that she “will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”