Barrett Sworn In as U.S. Supreme Court Justice... "Trump Holds Advantageous Position in Post-Election Litigation" (Comprehensive)

Supreme Court Reorganized with 6 Conservatives and 3 Progressives
Trump: "Today Will Be a Day Recorded in American History"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondents Baek Jong-min and Na Ju-seok] Amy Coney Barrett's nomination as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice was approved by the U.S. Senate on the 26th (local time). Justice Barrett officially took office that day.

Despite opposition from the Democratic Party, all procedures for Barrett's confirmation were completed, resulting in a conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court. This has laid the groundwork for President Donald Trump to have an advantage in any future election-related cases.

On the 26th (local time), the Senate held a full session and passed Barrett's nomination with 52 votes in favor and 48 against. Initially, the Democrats opposed Barrett's confirmation and did not attend the session, but they appeared when Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave his closing remarks.

U.S. President Donald Trump watched the swearing-in ceremony presided over by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (right) for nominee Amy Coney Barrett (left) at the White House South Lawn on the 26th (local time). Justice Barrett passed the Senate confirmation process on the same day.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among the 53 Republican senators, Senator Susan Collins was the only one to vote against the nomination.

Justice Coney then moved to the White House, where she took the oath of office in the White House garden before Clarence Thomas, an African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, with President Trump watching.

After taking the oath, Justice Barrett, seemingly aware of the surrounding controversies, stated, "A justice must be independent not only from Congress and the President but also from any private beliefs that might influence me."

President Trump welcomed the confirmation of Justice Barrett before the November election as he wished, saying, "Today will be a day recorded in American history."

Last month, following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Trump swiftly nominated Judge Barrett. Ginsburg, an icon of the American progressive camp, passed away on the 18th of last month. While the Democrats argued that the nomination should be made after the election, President Trump proceeded with the nomination process rapidly. With Barrett becoming a justice, the U.S. Supreme Court has been reorganized with six conservatives and three progressives.

U.S. media evaluated that with Barrett's appointment process completed, President Trump has gained a more advantageous position in preparing for post-election litigation.

Meanwhile, during the oath-taking ceremony that day, neither President Trump nor Justice Barrett wore masks. However, seemingly aware of criticism that the Barrett nomination event held at the White House last month triggered the spread of COVID-19, they maintained a wider distance from the podium and other attendees.