Divided over her replacement, Congress pays final tribute to Justice Ginsburg

Members of the House of Representatives around the coffin of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during the ceremony at the Capitol, September 25, 2020. Chip Somodevilla / Pool via REUTERS

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The last official tributes were paid to Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Washington Capitol this Friday, September 24.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris came to pray at the coffin of the famed progressive Supreme Court judge, as her death precipitated a fierce political battle between Democrats and Republicans.

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With our correspondent in San Francisco

,

Until her death,

pushed back social barriers.

Thursday his coffin was exposed at the entrance of the Supreme Court.

On Friday, Congress pays a solemn tribute to the progressive judge adored by the American left.

His remains are transported with full honor to be exhibited under the dome of the Capitol in Washington.

RGB is the first woman to receive such a tribute, the first person of Jewish faith as well.

► 

It is also a female rabbi who opens the ceremony in front of the coffin draped in the star-spangled banner.

A tribute against an opera background, the other great passion of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A political tribute also with Nancy Pelosi.

" 

 " writes the leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives.

In the first row, the remarkable presence of the Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris.

A notable absence, that of Donald Trump.

During the tribute the day before, the president was booed by the crowd.

He is due to announce the name of RBG's replacement on Saturday.

An ultra conservative presented as its perfect antithesis.

Several major American media, citing well-placed Republican sources, report that it could be Judge Amy Coney Barrett, known for her traditionalist religious beliefs. 

A major political issue

But whatever the name of the future judge who will be appointed by the tenant of the White House this Saturday, the simple fact of appointing

during his tenure in the most important American institution is a victory in itself for Donald Trump.

It will certainly be the most important legacy he will leave.

In four years, he will have succeeded in fundamentally transforming the most important body of justice in the country, now overwhelmingly conservative.

No more compromises.

However, central issues are in the balance: firearms, abortion or religious freedoms.

What is more, this transformation of the Supreme Court is lasting because of the age of the judges chosen and who are appointed for life.

Conservatives, even those who do not necessarily support Donald Trump like Mitt Romney, applaud, hence the enthusiasm of Republican senators to proceed to a vote as quickly as possible.

On the Democrats' side, it is consternation and indignation that prevail.

They are already announcing that in the event of victory in the presidential election and if by chance they win the majority in the Senate, they will not hesitate to reform this veritable temple of American law.

If a new judge replaces Ginsburg, we will have five strong Conservatives who will have no qualms and who will proudly vote to abolish the right to abortion.

That's really what's at stake and it's because of this horizon so exciting for the entire base of the Republican Party that Trump thinks that if he appoints someone satisfactory, these people will mobilize en masse to vote. .

Francoise Coste

Christophe Paget

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