Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing several ethics complaints following his ‘threatening’ remarks directed toward Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Schumer issued a ‘warning’ to the two justices at an event hosted by the Center for Reproductive Rights as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case focusing on a Louisiana abortion law
“I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price!” Schumer said. “You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
Chief Justice John Roberts called Schumer’s words “inappropriate” and “dangerous.”
Schumer initially reacted by accusing Roberts of bias in his response before offering a half-hearted apology and justification for his actions less than 24 hours later.
I “should not have used the words I used,” Schumer said in his remarks, adding that “they didn’t come out the way I intended to.” The Senate minority leader went on to assert, “I’m from Brooklyn. We speak in strong language.”
In the days following Schumer’s statements at an abortion rights rally outside the court building – comments some described as a threat – complaints were sent to the Senate Ethics Committee and the New York bar’s Grievance Committee, alleging that the Democratic leader’s remarks violated ethics rules.
“At a minimum, Attorney/Senator Schumer’s statements appear to be improper conduct that reflects upon his character and fitness to practice law in New York,” attorney Joseph Gioconda wrote in a letter sent Monday to New York’s Grievance Committee for the Second Judicial District, where Schumer is admitted.
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The National Legal Policy Center, a right-leaning nonprofit organization, filed complaints with the New York bar and the Senate Ethics Committee Friday, seeking discipline both for Schumer’s statements at the rally and for calling into question Roberts’ motives for his response.
Their complaint claims that Schumer violated Senate ethics rules by engaging in “improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate.” The NLPC also alleged that Schumer violated New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct through “conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.”
The NLPC referenced condemnation from conservatives and liberals alike, citing a critical tweet from Harvard Law School Professor Laurence Tribe that called Schumer’s language “inexcusable,” as well as condemnation on the Senate floor by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who said, “There is nothing to call this except a threat.”
Meanwhile, Senator Schumer continues his attacks on President Donald Trump’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic. WIBC host Tony Katz covers the Senator’s latest remarks in today’s Popcorn Moment.
https://omny.fm/shows/tony-katz-and-the-morning-news/popcorn-moment-tough-guy-chuck-schumer
