Judge Amy Coney Barrett officially became President Trump’s third Supreme Court nominee in a White House Rose Garden ceremony Saturday evening, after the late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s passing just over a week ago on September 18th left a vacancy on the highest court in the land.

The streamlined ceremony began with Pres. Trump giving a brief introduction, then he invited Judge Barrett to “say a few words” in front of the assembled friends, family, and invited guests. Fittingly, for a judge seen as a strict Constitutionalist, the first applause line in her remarks was this one:

"I love the United States and I love the United States Constitution." — ACB #AmyConeyBarrett

— Becca Lower (@BeccaJLower) September 26, 2020

Then in a sign of her fairmindedness and humility, her acceptance speech turned to the woman she may replace on the Supreme Court.

She said, in part:

I am truly humbled by the prospect of serving on the Supreme Court. Should I be confirmed, I will be mindful of who came before me. The flag of the United States is still flying at half-staff in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to mark the end of a great American life. Justice Ginsburg began her career at a time when women were not welcome in the legal profession. But she not only broke glass ceilings, she smashed them.

For that, she has won the admiration of women across the country and, indeed, all over the world. She was a woman of enormous talent and consequence and her life of public service serves as an example to us all.

Guy Benson, the Political Editor of Townhall.com and a Fox News contributor, told Fox News’ Bret Baier that he found Barrett’s tribute to RBG “stirring and lovely.”

In his intro, the President mentioned one extra-special guest was in attendance: Maureen Scalia, the widow of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Barrett worked for as a law clerk. Barrett spoke with admiration about Scalia’s collegial relationship with Ginsburg — and vice versa. She hinted that it’s a “standard” she’ll “strive to meet,” if confirmed to join the High Court.

Particularly poignant to me was her long and deep friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, my own mentor. Justices Scalia and Ginsburg disagreed fiercely in print without rancor in person. Their ability to maintain a warm and rich friendship despite their differences even inspired an opera. These two great Americans demonstrated that arguments–even about matters of great consequence–need not destroy affection. In both my personal and professional relationships I strive to meet that standard.

Barrett continued, touching on the “judicial philosophy” that would guide her — the same one as Scalia:

I was lucky enough to clerk for Justice Scalia. And given his incalculable influence on my life, I am very moved to have members of the Scalia family here today including his dear wife Maureen. I clerked for Justice Scalia more than 20 years ago, but the lessons I learned still resonate. His judicial philosophy is mine, too. A judge must apply the law as written.

As it should be.

The transcript of Judge Barrett’s remarks is available to read at Real Clear Politics.

You can watch her full acceptance speech below, via CBS News:

Now that you’ve seen (or read) it, what was your favorite part of Amy Coney Barrett’s acceptance speech at the White House today? Use the Comments area below to share YOUR thoughts!

And if you have a moment… here are some of my recent articles:

Opinion: Never Mind “Hidin’ Biden”; Where’s Kamala?

CNN Diarist Jim Acosta Is Sad; Trump Trolls Media on SCOTUS ‘Booing

LA County Sheriff Shares ‘Great News’ About #ComptonAmbush Deputies

Thanks for reading!
Becca