As we reported previously, some Democrats have been trying to move Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to the side. In addition to her overall problem of age, she’s now been out ill with shingles for weeks. That is slowing down their ability to push through more liberal judicial appointments since she has a critical spot on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Some Democrats, like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), her California colleague, and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), didn’t hold back and called on her to resign, so someone else could take her place.

It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 12, 2023

I agree with @RoKhanna. Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet. https://t.co/lvaHhLJYsi

— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) April 12, 2023

I think she should have left long ago, as I think Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Joe Biden should have as well. As I previously wrote, she appeared to not even be aware that she had announced that she wasn’t going to run for reelection in 2024.

However, I think their hypocrisy is ridiculous. What happened to praising her for her bravery, as they did with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who was out for weeks? It seems when you serve their purpose, you are praised. But if you stand in their way, even after serving for thirty years, they want you out on the scrap heap. It’s always and only about what serves them to increase their power.

Apparently Fetterman is allowed to miss 2 months of work for health issues, but Feinstein isn't

That doesn't sound very feminist to me pic.twitter.com/aDcSBumupE

— Alexis de Toke-ville (@JohnPaulThee3rd) April 12, 2023

Some, like Mike Davis, founder of the Article III project, pointed out how they hadn’t seemed concerned about Kamala Harris and Sen. Cory Booker missing votes when they were on the Judiciary Committee.

I don't recall Democrats calling on Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) or then-Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to resign.

When they missed many, many Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate floor votes.

During their (failed) presidential campaigns.https://t.co/TebG7l6uli

— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) April 12, 2023

But now it looks like they might have figured out a way around the problem.

Here’s the statement her staff has released.

INBOX: Feinstein Statement on Returning to Washington pic.twitter.com/2TTT14DOd2

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) April 13, 2023

Feinstein has now announced that she’s going to be “temporarily” replaced on the Judiciary Committee.

“I understand that my absence could delay the important work of the Judiciary Committee, so I’ve asked Leader Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve until I’m able to resume my committee work,” the 89-year-old Feinstein said in a statement.

Feinstein said she had expected to return to Washington “by the end of the March work period,” but that her return had been “delayed due to continued complications related to my diagnosis.” She planned to return, she said, “as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it’s safe for me to travel.”

The members would need to vote on a resolution to replace her on the Committee. But if anyone truly thinks this is “temporary,” they haven’t been watching how vicious Democrats can be. This is about moving her out of the way and she isn’t coming back on that Committee.

They want to move her to the side for the time she has left and then the fight is on for her seat between Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and maybe others who jump into it. We already see stuff being dropped on Katie Porter, so that promises to be a mudslinging battle, with Schiff pulling out all the stops in his effort to win.