Sep 19, 2020

Kayleigh McEnany Speaks about Ruth Bader Ginsburg Death: Transcript

Kayleigh McEnany Speaks About RBG Passing
RevBlogTranscriptsKayleigh McEnany White House Press Conference TranscriptsKayleigh McEnany Speaks about Ruth Bader Ginsburg Death: Transcript

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany spoke with reporters today about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Read the full transcript of her comments here.

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Reporter 1: (00:00)
So first question is, has the president had any communications yet with Senator McConnell, any Senate Republicans, about next steps, how to move forward?

Kayleigh McEnany: (00:09)
Not that I’m aware of. Right now, the president is squarely focused on honoring the legacy of Justice ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Scalia was really the lion of the court, and Justice Ginsburg was the lioness. They were notably friends, but they’ve left a mark on this court and on this country that will never be forgotten.

Kayleigh McEnany: (00:30)
We’re mourning for her family. And the president last night, said she was an amazing woman, and that’s what we’re focused on today.

Reporter 2: (00:36)
Kayleigh, why-

Reporter 3: (00:37)
[inaudible 00:00:37] women. There’s a lot of talk already about Amy Coney Barrett. Does this administration feel, the White House, think that maybe a woman justice would be a better bet [crosstalk 00:00:45] the election?

Kayleigh McEnany: (00:49)
We’re just not there yet in terms of entertaining names. The president’s obviously put forward to list. The American people know exactly where the president stands in terms of not just what his justices would look like, but exactly what their names are. You know they’re originalists, you know they’re textualists, you know they’re people who respect the words of the Constitution and the plain text of statutes. And you know where the president stands. Can’t say that for every party.

Reporter 4: (01:14)
I take your point about how you say you’re not there yet, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he attempts [inaudible 00:01:19] nominating, confirming, never of President Trump nominating. Why won’t Republicans honor Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish [inaudible 00:01:29] the next president

Kayleigh McEnany: (01:30)
Look, we’re aware of McConnell’s statement, but right now, we’re honoring the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The flag is at half staff, rightfully so. Important to note, just as a woman, what this means for the country, what her legacy means for the country.

Kayleigh McEnany: (01:45)
Her husband got cancer while she was in law school, while she was raising a three-year-old, while she was on law review, while she was near the top of her class or at the top of her class. Unable to find a job when she graduated law school and really paved the way for someone like me to go to this very same law school as her and have nearly half of the class be women. She was a trailblazer, and she paved the way for many strong women in this country on both sides of the aisle to have a legacy and to have a career path in this country.

Reporter 4: (02:12)
There was a-

Reporter 5: (02:17)
When exactly did the president learn of Justice Ginsburg’s passing? Was he briefed by the staff last night after the rally?

Kayleigh McEnany: (02:20)
So, I was not there. One of the few trips I did not go on with him. He did not know about it on the stage. I believe he found out from journalist. Whether he found out on the way to the gaggle, I’m not entirely sure. But I know for a fact, because I was talking with staff on the ground, he was unaware of it until getting off the stage.

Reporter 5: (02:38)
And do you expect him to speak about that tonight at his [inaudible 00:02:38] rally in North Carolina?

Kayleigh McEnany: (02:41)
I’ll leave that to him. But you know, this president is very transparent. He, I’m sure, will be taking questions from reporters today. He’ll be in North Carolina. I think, six of the seven next days, he’ll be traveling. So you’ll be hearing from him in short order and can ask him all of those questions. Thank you, guys, very much. Have a great and wonderful day. Yes.

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