Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Ruth Bader Ginsburg death - latest: Democrats smash donation records following death of liberal Supreme Court judge

Follow all the latest as America mourns the passing of the liberal judge

Tom Embury-Dennis
Saturday 19 September 2020 16:51 BST
Comments
Joe Biden reacts to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

US supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women's rights champion who became known as the Notorious RBG, has died aged 87.

The court's second female justice died from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, though she made few concessions to age and recurrent health problems in her latter years.

In her final years on the court, Ms Ginsburg was the unquestioned leader of the liberal justices, as outspoken in dissent as she was cautious in earlier years.

Following news of her death, political leaders in the US and across the world paid tribute to the iconic judge.

Greta Thunberg pays tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quoting the former Supreme Court justice’s iconic quote regarding the fight for gender equality.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 14:23

This is the moment Donald Trump reportedly heard about the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the first time.

In the clip, he is told the news by a reporter.

“She just died? Wow, I didn’t know that, you’re telling me now for the first time,” Mr Trump said. 

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 14:01

Democratic senator Chris Murphy has warned Republicans they Senate will “never, ever be the same” if they push forward with plans to replace Ginsburg before the election.

He is not explicit about what will change, but many Democrats are calling for an end to the Senate filibuster and to pack the Supreme Court with a slew of liberal judges.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 13:41

Laurence Tribe, a US law professor at Harvard and noted constitutional expert, has accused the Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell of “ghoulish” behaviour after he vowed to get the now-vacant Supreme Court seat filled before the election,

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 13:10

Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, has hailed Ginsberg an “American hero” who “stood for all of us”. 

The former vice-president also called for her successor to be selected only after November’s election.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 12:53

Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, has praised Ginsberg as a “profound and fearless advocate for women, equality and justice”.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 12:39

Here's who Trump wants as successor on Supreme Court

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has set the scene for a fierce political battle to replace her just weeks away from a presidential election.

Earlier this month Donald Trump updated his roster of more than 20 potential Supreme Court nominees, from which he could appoint his third justice.

Those names included Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Senator Ted Cruz, who has denied any interest in taking the position.

Read more:

Here's who Trump wants to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg

President recently updated list of potential nominees for vacant seat

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 12:38

Biden and McConnell clash over Supreme Court vacancy

The death of US supreme court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg little more than six weeks before the election cast an immediate spotlight on the high court vacancy, with senate majority leader Mitch McConnell quickly vowing to bring a vote on whoever President Donald Trump nominates.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden vigorously disagreed, declaring “voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice to consider”.

Mr McConnell, in a statement some 90 minutes after Ms Ginsburg's death was announced, declared unequivocally that Mr Trump's nominee would go to a vote, even though he had stalled then-president Barack Obama's choice for months ahead of the 2016 election, eventually preventing a ballot.

Mr Trump, in brief remarks to reporters after learning of her death, called Ms Ginsburg “an amazing woman” who “led an amazing life”.

He had continued with a campaign speech for more than an hour after her death was announced, saying later he had been unaware of her passing.

Associated Press

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 12:29

Preet Bharara, former US attorney at the Southern District of New York, who was infamously fired by Donald Trump, has tweeted about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.

The “urge to fight” is likely in reference to the inevitable attempt by Republican senators to force through the nomination of a conservative replacement in the Supreme Court before the potential coronation of Joe Biden as president.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 12:10

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU commission, has tweeted mourning the loss of the “truly remarkable” Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

“She proved that women belong in all places of power where decisions are made,” Ms Von der Leyen said, echoing one of Ginsburg’s most iconic quotes.

Tom Embury-Dennis19 September 2020 11:44

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in