It was while queuing to enter their favorite candidate's meeting in Middletown, Pennsylvania, that supporters of Donald Trump received the news: the president has chosen Conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed progressive Ruth Bader Ginsburg. to the Supreme Court.
"Take this seat," read the posters of supporters, delighted that the most respected American institution is strengthening its conservative majority.
For Amy McLane, who awaits the candidate for re-election behind the barrier separating supporters from the media, Amy Coney Barrett is "an excellent choice".
"She looks very qualified" for the job, said the resident of Lancaster County, a "rather conservative" region, without going into details.
If the convictions of this 57-year-old woman, who worked on the radio for thirty years, are aligned with those of the judge, she appreciates what she sees as a form of independence.
"She's been clear that she won't let her faith interfere with her decisions, and I think that's really important."
Roe v. Wade in question
The subject of the right to abortion has been at the center of attention since the name of Amy Coney Barrett, a judge personally opposed to the practice, circulated.
Amy McLane says she is also committed to the side of "pro-life".
But she is keen to qualify her remarks: "I am against abortion, but that does not necessarily mean that I support the overthrow of Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court judgment of 1973 which protects the right of women to abort without excessive restrictions on the part of the government, editor's note). "
The new majority of six conservative judges against three progressives could however reverse this judgment.
That's exactly what Erica Cappabianco, 40, and Karen Richard, 43, want, as they shop near a Donald Trump t-shirt stand.
One is a nurse, the other is a midwife: "We help bring babies into the world, not kill them, so it's a crucial point for us", explain the two friends before entering the meeting .
Here is Erica and Karen, met tonight in Middletown, Pennsylvania, before a Donald Trump meeting.
This nurse and midwife are delighted with the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
"We help deliver babies, not kill them."
pic.twitter.com/nJqVLMsnwC
- Yona Helaoua (@YonaHelaoua) September 27, 2020
The American president's plane landed a few tens of minutes later.
This time again, he chose an airport to address the crowd, a practical place in terms of logistics and which allows a staging that he loves.
All members of the public behind Donald Trump wear a mask, while in the crowd most have their faces uncovered.
"An excellent model"
Once on stage, Donald Trump immediately mentioned his choice to the Supreme Court.
Amy Coney Barrett is a "brilliant mind," he insisted, "she was top of her class."
"It's a little better than Biden, what do you think?" He asked his audience, mocking the education of his Democratic competitor.
Amy Coney Barrett's profile appeals to Daryl Bernard, a 55-year-old medical salesman who came to Middletown with his children.
"I have two wonderful daughters and the judge will be a great role model for them. She has seven children, some of them of different colors, she's someone who has been able to juggle the different responsibilities at home and at work."
Above all, he appreciates the magistrate for her respect for the Constitution in the face of the "political whims" of public opinion.
Donald Trump has boasted of having succeeded in appointing three conservative justices to the Supreme Court so far, alongside some 300 judges by the end of his term in the various courts across the country.
"Notorious ACB"
"It's great to have a new Conservative judge," said Brian, 53, an electrician from the York-Lancaster area.
Regardless of the president's choice, he liked all the candidates who were on his list, he says.
Brian would also like to pay tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"She's had a long career and has done a lot of good things. I might not agree with her on a lot of things, but she has a good track record."
A week after the death of "RBG", sometimes dubbed "Notorious RBG" by the younger generation Democrats - a nod to rapper Notorious BIG "- Senate Republicans angered the camp opposite by promoting new "Notorious ACB" t-shirts, with the initials of the judge they want to confirm as quickly as possible to the Supreme Court, if possible before the election on November 3. This express confirmation is hard to swallow for the opposition.
"Hypocrisy"
"It's pure hypocrisy given what the Republicans did in 2016 by refusing the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland by Barack Obama," denounces Kathleen McCormack, a 76-year-old Democrat who drove an hour and a half to protest near Donald Trump's meeting.
Four years ago, the US president had indeed backed down and his candidate had not been confirmed by the Senate, Republicans believing that the presidential election was too close.
This time, no way to reciprocate the Democrats.
Kathleen and Ray, fierce anti-Trump, demonstrate in front of the Pennsylvania airport where the president held his meeting tonight.
The appointment of Amy Coney Barrett “will be a terrible thing for a generation of young women who will not be able to have an abortion if they need to.
»Pic.twitter.com/GKIpZFr30t
- Yona Helaoua (@YonaHelaoua) September 27, 2020
Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation "will be a terrible thing for a generation of young women who will not be able to have an abortion if they need it. This new world will be horrible for them," blames Kathleen McCormack.
His companion, Ray Simpson, is also worried: "Americans will probably lose their health insurance," he predicts, referring to the "Obamacare" law which was narrowly saved at the Supreme Court.
If the institution leans more to the right, "Obamacare" may not survive.
For this septuagenarian, the situation is blocked: "If Joe Biden is elected and decides to increase the number of judges at the Supreme Court (a maneuver allowing to dilute the conservative majority, Editor's note), it will be a bad example to follow. The president who will succeed him will do the same and so on. "
How could things work out for the American left?
Ray Simpson is running out of ideas: "There is no right solution," he sighs.
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