>> absolutely. >> given where gorsuch stands -- >> that's number one. >> given judge gorsuch's position on the president's attitude toward the judiciary and that the president has praised neil gorsuch for his integrity, does he have regrets about comments he made about federal judges? >> he has no regrets. he's proud of the selection he made. he has no regrets. thank you. >> on immigration , i know the white house is following the situation. i want to know does the president believe she should have been deported and what message does he have? >> i'll refer you back to i.c.e. on that. that's an i.c.e. matter. the issue is developing in arizona right now. i would refer you back to i.c.e. >> in that lunch meeting, the president said that, you know, he basically said senator blumenthal's comments were taken out of context. >> judge gorsuch's comments were. >> however, senator ayotte who is working with the white house to help shepherd judge gorsuch through the hill released a statement confirming those same remarks disheartening and demoralizing. >> this is what senator ayotte said. judge g

which seems gorsuch is in that latter category. this is someone who in any republican administration would have been near the top of the list. >> i think that's right. that's true on substance and style. there's a saying in legal circles "don't believe the hype" and there was a ton of hype in the runup to this event. don't believe it. what we just witnessed was a very traditional rollout of a supreme court name. the president's remarks were brief, especially for this president. the judge's remarks were brief and elegant and broad but we didn't learn anything, you're not supposed to. as for who is judge gorsuch, this is someone on the right of center in conservative legal thought but is also seen as anally lean intellectual and gun rights. he's pro-gun rights and religious freedom, being very skeptical of obamacare and religious adherence and religious company. >> he wrote a concurring opinion in the hobby lobby case when it came through his circuit which is one of the more controversial cases he has been around. he hasn't been arou

that is not neil gorsuch. this is not a bomb thrower, someone in any way who doesn't believe in the judicial branch and in that sense it's surprising because i think disrupters are kind of trump's things so this is an incredibly solid respectable conventional pick that anyone would have made. in once sense it's surprising for trump because trump promised us a blue-collar non-ivy non-fancy pants guy and gorsuch was on the short list. so in that sense it's a funny pick but in every other sense conventional. >> he's sort of in the same way that the president attacked goldman sachs for having captured hillary clinton and having been the great downfall of ted cruz's ties to goldman sachs and then he brings on six people from goldman sachs into the administration. he is famous for the hobby lobby case, for his role at the appeals court level while that case made its way to the supreme court. i described that in a short way. tell me 23 i got that right and why that might be important in terms of controversies or impo

gorsuch. judge gorsuch is a worthy successor to justice scalia. by the grace of god and with what i know will be the tireless effort of everyone in this room, i believe neil gorsuch will soon take his seat as an associate justice on the supreme court of the united states. judge gorsuch plain and sim p principle is one of the most mainstream, respected and exceptionally qualified in american history. but don't take my word for it. that was the conclusion of the american bar association in 2006. after president bush nominated him to the tenth circuit court of appeal, he got a unanimous rating of well qualified, the highest possible recommendation an the united states senate agreed. only two months after neil gorsuch's nomination to the court of appeals, the senate confirmed him by a unanimous voice vote. and nearly a third of those senators on both sides of the aisle are still serving in the senate today. a unanimous vote. as president trump asked tuesday, can you believe that? well, yes, you can. >> when you look at judge gorsuch's record ever sinc

supreme court nominee, judge neil gorsuch. you're a leader, the democratic leader of the senate, minority leader chuck schumer, his team put out this statement. i'll read it to you. sean spicer just made it crystal clear that judge gorsuch has refused to condemn president trump's attacks on the judiciary. that makes it already weak response already weaker and is further proof that the judge has not demonstrated the kind of independence necessary to be a check on this administration. do you believe if, in fact, what sean spicer said, that the judge wasn't specifically referring to what the president has said about federal judges, that that weakens his case to be confirmed? >> well, look, i haven't had a chance to meet with judge gorsuch yet independently. this is a question i'm going to be asking him. i think at the very least, we should expect our judges who are candidates for the supreme court to understand that the judicial branch is a separate but equal branch of government, and i would expect him to be willing to say that.

>> i am confident judge gorsuch will be an independent judge. he already is an independent judge as i have come to understand by reviewing several of his rulings. >> reporter: how do you feel about president trump's comments? >> on? >> reporter: on the independent judiciary, what he's had to say in the last 24 hours? >> i disagreed with them. i disagreed with president trump last year when he criticized the indiana-born judge and said that he could not rule fairly in the case involving trump university because of his mexican heritage. i think it's inappropriate for any president to go after an independent judge. that is inappropriate. now, i do think it's fair game for the president to criticize the decision made by a judge but not the judge himself or herself. ted. >> reporter: can i just ask you so he had called those comments demoralizing and disheartening but he didn't actually condemn the remarks and urge the president not to say that anymore. did he address that at all with you? >> i didn't go into that issue at all. personally i think his

last night, the president nominated judge neil gorsuch. we in the senate have a to examinenal duty his record robustly, exhaustively, and comprehensively. we need to revise its consent if consent if weand see fit. we democrats will insist on a rigorous but fair process. there will be 60 votes for confirmation. anyone member can require it, many democrats already have. .t is the right thing to do on the subject is important -- as important as the supreme court nomination, bipartisanship should be essential. that is what 60 votes does. .hat is nothing new it was a varmint by each of president obama's nominations. in my mind, 60 votes is the appropriate way to go. whether there is a democratic president or republican president. democratic republican senate -- senate.lican because a 60 vote threshold is essential, those who say at the -- process ross is a that there are only two possible willts -- that the senate confirm this nominee or the republicans will use the nuclear option to confirm their choice are dead wrong. that is a false choice.

judge gorsuch, the podium, sir, is yours. [applause] judge gorsuch: thank you. mr. president, thank you very much. mr. president, mr. vice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process and you have entrusted me with a most solemn assignment. standing here in a house of history, and acutely aware of my own imperfections, i pledge that if i'm confirmed, i will do all my powers permit to enforce the constitution of laws in this country. for the last decade, i worked as a federal judge at a court that spans six western states. serving about 20% of the continental united states and about 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with are an inspiration to me. i have watched them fearlessly tending to the rule of law, enforcing the promises of our constitution, and living out daily the judicial oaths to administer justice equally to rich and poor alike. following the law as they find it and without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of them tonight. of course, the supreme court's work is vital not just to a region of

gorsuch is the youngest nominee. he holds an undergraduate degree from columbia and a phd from oxford. he was in the same law school class as president obama. he worked in the justice department and clerked for justices byron white and current justice anthony kennedy. dann cuellar has been getting reaction from the legal community in philadelphia. what have you been hearing tonight, dan? >> well, jim, those that know neil gorsuch believe he's a great choice, but he likely has a battle ahead. >> what you see is what you get. neil gorsuch is one of the best judges in the country. >> that reaction from the supreme court clinic. >> neil gorsuch, i went to college with him, the same graduate school. we both clerked for justice kennedy. everyone knows he's one of the best. >> gorsuch is a conservative jurorrer seen as the best to fill the seat of anthony scalia. >> he's ruled in favor of middle school students arrested, or immigrants or people's whose siferl rights were wronged. >> one of the other candidates on the list,

judge gorsuch graed phi cappa beta and attended oxford. like justice scalia, the cornerstone of judge gorsuch's judicial philosophy is fidelity to the text. he doesn't believe judges should base their decisions solely on the law -- he believes -- sorry. i don't want to screw that one up. that his decision should be based slowly on the law and the constitution, not on their own policy preferences or personal feelings. he'll be a reliable on the bench regardless of background. i would note, i think -- and i always want to caveat this, but to my understanding, he would be the first justice that will serve with the -- as someone he clerked for on the bench. so it will be sort of a first when he is con firpfirmed by th senate. today is february 1st. we're kicking off black history month. the president has events planned throughout the month starting today with a significance th administration african-american appointees. later today, the president will issue a proclamation. the u.s. postal service kicked off the month by issuing a dorothy heit

but back to the nomination of judge gorsuch. president trump had this to say. >> i am keeping another promise to the american people. by nominating judge neil gorsuch of the united states supreme court to be of the united states supreme court. >> i respect that in our legal order, it is the congress and not the court to write new laws. it is for us to apply, not rework the people's laws. a judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge. stretching for those he prefers to those the law demands. >> tucker: ted cruz of texas valves that he would get this nominee chosen for anything. he joins us tonight from the white house, senator, thank you for coming on. >> congrats on the new show by the way. and all the success. >> tucker: i appreciate that. is this the judge he would have chosen for the supreme court? >> i think judge gorsuch is a home run. i'm very, very happy. during the campaign, president trump promised the american people if he was elected, he would nominate a principal constitutionalist to replace j

there is less of that in judge gorsuch but he is an excellent writer. your group is happy with this choice. remind viewers what the fund for religious liberty is. >> the becket fund is a nonprofit public interest law firm that defends religious liberty for people of all faiths. we like to say that we defend people from anglicans to zoroastrians and everywhere in between. >> when you look at judge gorsuch, what cases that he has decided make you believe that he will be in line with what your group believes? >> he has had several cases that involve religious liberty issues and as i have a renewed -- reviewed those opinions, i'm really impressed with his proven track record of applying the law fairly to protect the religious liberties of people of all faiths. particularly, for religious minorities. he had a very important decision that he authored called the yellow bear decision and it involved a native american prisoner who had his religious exercise burdened while he was incarcerated and judge gorsuch applied the federal law that was protect thise, too n

judge gorsuch turns 50 this year. a lot of comparisons with justice scalia as you've mentioned, george, but one thing that was written is his opinions have been described as exceptionally clear and routinely entertaining. >> you saw a little wit when he was talking about justice white as well. i want to bring john karl back right now. terry moran mentioned justice kennedy. i want to show what the lineup of the court would look like if judge gorsuch is confirmed. you see justice kennedy in the middle and you wonder if he is sending a signal picking his clerk for the court saying the court is in good hands if you're confirmed, safe for you to retire. >> there's no question that president trump has thought about replacing not one justice, perhaps not even just two or three. certainly anthony kennedy is one he would love to replace. ruth bader ginsburg, also 83 years old. and the message that the democrats have sent is this will be a tough confirmation battle, but the next one, the next one will be a truly brutal confirma

he should not have pushed judge gorsuch. it's a huge mistake and one trump can't take back. >> this is not mitt romney checking his own character at the door to have a sit-down. you know, here is the thing about gorsuch, this was pretty cool. this was pretty cool. >> cool on gorsuch's part. >> absolutely. he said, i am who i am. i'm not going to change my values, even if it costs me this nomination. >> it's not going to cost him the nomination. there are some things even donald trump can't do. he put him on because he couldn't get anyone else on the armed services committee with john mccain. he's on the supreme court. it's the best thing that happened since this horror of an administration got in. >> they are in agreement. i want to take you now to capitol hill with casey hunt is watching the swearing in of jeff sessions set for 90 minutes from now. casey, once again, the democrats threw the kitchen sink at a nominee and once again, republicans lined up and the nominee got through. anyway, i would like to get a refund for al

judge gorsuch will be confirmed. rest assured, we will work with the senate leadership to insure that judge gorsuch gets an up or down vote on the senate floor one way or the other. [ applause ] this seat does not belong to any party or any idealogy or any interest group. this seat on the supreme court belongs to the american people and the american people deserve a vote on the floor of the united states senate. [ applause ] my friends, this is a historic time for our country. we're on the verge, literally, of reaffirming the supremacy of the constitution. and our nation's supreme court. we're giving a new voice to the age old vision of our foundi fathers. we're rededicating ourselves to the timeless principles they proclaim adfed a few steps awaym where we are today. we're returning power to the american people. the rightful rulers of the greatest nation the world has ever known. we have much work to do. but i'm confident the grace of god, we will accomplish the task before us. so let me just close by saying thank y

gorsuch should not be the first. [applause] >> let me say, president trump and i have full confidence that judge gorsuch will be confirmed but rest assured, we will work with the senate leadership to ensure that judge gorsuch gets an up or down vote on the senate floor one way or the other. [applause] >> this seat does not belong to any party or ideology or interest group. this seat on the supreme court belongs to the american people, and the american people deserve a vote on the floor of the united states senate. [applause] >> my friends, this is a historic time for our country. we're ordinary reason the verge literally of reampling the supremacy of the constitution and our nation's supreme court. we're giving a new voice to the age-old vision of our founding fathers. we're rededicating ourselves and country to the timeless principles proclaimed only a few steps away from where we're standing right now. under president trump's leadership we're returning power to the american people, the rightful rulers of the greate

judge gorsuch, the podium, sir, is yours. [applause] judge gorsuch: thank you. mr. president, thank you very much. mr. president, mr. vice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process and you have entrusted me with a most solemn assignment. standing here in a house of history, and acutely aware of my own imperfections, i pledge that if i'm confirmed, i will do all my powers that permit to enforce the constitution of laws in this country. for the last decade, i worked as a federal judge at a court that spans six western states. serving about 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with are an inspiration to me. i have watched them fearlessly tending to the rule of law, enforcing the promises of our constitution, and living out daily the judicial oaths to administer justice equally to rich and poor alike. following the law as they find it and without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of them tonight. of course, the supreme court's work is vital not just to a region of the country but the whole, vital to the pr

judge gorsuch, he clerked for anthony kennedy. maybe we're talk about a kennedy retirement down the road. maybe there will be other pickings here for this president soon. >> i do think that's insightful when you say that because that's something that democrats need to think about. gorsuch will be really the first former clerk to come back and sit on the clerk there actively. he was a clerk for white and kennedy. kennedy may see this as a time to say, look, i've done my time. i'm comfortable with the replacement. with the makeup, he was fond of gorsuch by all accounts. i think it could in fact give a green light or make him feel better about retiring. honestly, it's going to be that seat or a second seat that really does 52 have a chance to change place of the pool. >> michael moore, thank you nor being here again. appreciate your insight. >>> days of fallout over that travel ban has the white house on the defensive even claiming the travel ban isn't really a ban at all. even though the president tweets about it calling it a ban. w

graduated, -- when he judge for such -- gorsuch. received ach unanimously well-qualified rating by the american bar association when he was nominated on the court of appeals, and he was confirmed without any votes in opposition. not a single democrat opposed judge gorsuch's confirmation. not barack obama, hillary clinton, joe biden, or ted kennedy. who stille democrats served with us opposed him, including ranking members of the judiciary committee. in the coming days, i hope and expect that all senate colleagues will give him their consideration, just as we did for newly elected -- newly nominated presidents clinton and obama. this is the judge who is known for deciding cases based on how the law is actually written, not how he wishes it were written. even when it relates -- leads to results that conflict with his personal political police -- believes. here is how judge gorsuch put it himself. every resultikes he reaches is very likely a bad judge. reaching for results he prefers rather than of the law compels. some of our colleagu

that's why they shouldn't be finding fault with gorsuch. you have four liberals, four conservatives, and kennedy in the middle, the more moderate. the court is balanced, what they want. the next one might be a different story depending on who leaves. >> we will be covering it all the way through. thank you for the time. >> i think you too. >> james, back to you. >> james: thank you. lonely comeback, rex tillerson is now the top man at foggy bottom. can the new secretary of state make progress in a world bursting with foreign policy challenges? stay with us. afoot and light-hearted i take to the open road. healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading wherever i choose. the east and the west are mine. the north and the south are mine. all seems beautiful to me. what are you doing? getting your quarter back. fountains don't earn interest, david. you know i work at ally. i was being romantic. you know what i find romantic? a robust annual percentage yield that's what i find romantic. this is literally throwing your

that is not neil gorsuch. this is not a bomb thrower, someone in any way who doesn't believe in the judicial branch and in that sense it's surprising because i think disrupters are kind of trump's things so this is an incredibly solid respectable conventional pick that anyone would have made. in once sense it's surprising for trump because trump promised us a blue-collar non-ivy non-fancy pants guy and gorsuch was on the short list. so in that sense it's a funny pick but in every other sense conventional. >> he's sort of in the same way that the president attacked goldman sachs for having captured hillary clinton and having been the great downfall of ted cruz's ties to goldman sachs and then he brings on six people from goldman sachs into the administration. he is famous for the hobby lobby case, for his role at the appeals court level while that case made its way to the supreme court. i described that in a short way. tell me 23 i got that right and why that might be important in terms of controversies or impo

but then he put up a second list with neil gorsuch and neil gorsuch's name continued to rise on that list. and so while i do not think there have been conversations between donald trump and judge gorsuch, what we can ascertain is that donald trump obviously has been speaking to republicans and two people in republicans and two people in republican circles who actually think very highly ofjudge gorsuch. —— to. that is why you are seeing this take place. also, more importantly, he has received enormous bipartisan support. i ensure donald trump and his team will be thinking this is an individual who could get through a very ugly nomination fight. individual who could get through a very ugly nomination fightm individual who could get through a very ugly nomination fight. it is a lwa ys very ugly nomination fight. it is always enlightening to have you on the programme. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much. the start of donald trump's presidency is proving to be fiercely controversial. his decision to build a wall on the mexican border and the order to temporarily ban muslim

gorsuch will reach out to offer congratulations. host: if he is approved in the senate, will he start in october? guest: the hope is that he will be confirmed in april in time to hear cases this term. the last two weeks of april are when the court hears the last arguments of the term. republicans are hoping he will be on track to hear them. host: she led joins us from maryland. how are you? caller: i just wanted to say i was a democrat for 45 years. this past election, i did change parties. my beliefs and what i feel the country was going in the wrong direction. i was very surprised myself that i agreed with mr. trump's beliefs. i don't know if that is because of the age or whatever. i was very proud of this pick for the supreme court. i don't think he could've picked somebody more respected, more educated. when mr. gorsuch spoke last night, he talked about not creating the laws applying the laws to the constitution. i don't believe after listening to him that he would allow his religious beliefs or his other beliefs to interfere wi

gorsuch was vindicated on that. on abortion, it's important to note that he is a little bit of a wild card he has never written a decision on abortion. conservatives believe that since he is someone who wrote an entire book, he is someone who will protect life. the bottom line is, conservatives feel good about this. they took extraordinary measures to get this under wraps. at one point, we are told, he was hiding out at a starbucks and a safeway shopping center in colorado to make sure the press didn't see he was meeting with white house officials to get here. >> sandra: live from the steps of the supreme court. a lot going on there. thank you, sir. >> meghan: democrats are running to filibuster the nominees. chuck schumer saying "judges gorsuch has her pedal he corporations he makes me skeptical that he can be a strong independent justice on the court." "an extreme ideologue will threaten privacy rights include women's health care, worker and consumer protections and public health and safety" ." nancy pelosi weighi

judge neil gorsuch, you're very talented, you're very unique. you're an amazing guy, you're hired. >> you have to love kimmel. president trump picked his supreme court nominee, but this morning the battle is fierce as democrats ntinue to put up a fight. >>> and the battle over donald trump's immigration order as he says it's not a travel ban. >>> and betsy devos is up for what some are saying character assassination. >>> good morning, everyone. it is wednesday, february 1st. i'm alex witt alongside louis burgdorf. last night prmesident trump announced his pick for the supreme court who sits on the court of appeals. he was approved unanimously by a voice vote in 2006. his highest profile ruling siding with groups that claimed obamacare violated their religious liberty including the hobby lobby case. he's considered a strong write we are a philosophy and mold in justice antonin scalia whose death has left the ninth seat empty for 354 days. last night donald trump kept his campaign promise and gorsuch described his cautious approach. >> months ago

some say gorsuch isn't a far cry from his predecessor . sot - he's replacing justice scalia who was the most far right.his views won't really change the composition of the supreme court.james taylor / usf professor sot - he has a moderating effect and that's what he represents..if you're ideological it doesn't matter what, because it's coming from trump, but if you're down the middle, this is a mainstream safe selectionstandupthe next couple of months will be the time the public and senators can weigh in before votes are cast.reporting live in san francisco.. happening today. the widow of the man who carried out a deadly terrorist attack on a florida nightclub will appear in an oakland court. lawyers for noor salman are fighting for her release from jail.. they say salman had no knowledge of her husband's plan for the shooting. her husband omar mateen is resposnible for the pulse night club attack in orlando back in june. 49-people were killed and another 53- others were wounded. salman, who lives in the east bay with her family, was arres

democratic senator blumenthal over neil gorsuch. gorsuch criticizing going after -- senator blumenthal said he found it disheartening and quote demoralizing, despite gorsuch's spokesperson confirming that conversation, president trump said this. >> you misrepresented his comments totally. >> i wanted to ask you what you're thoughts were, sir. >> his comments were misrepresented totally. >> he was asked in the briefing room to sean spicer, the answer was two letters, wasn't it. >> that's right. no. let's play the sound and talk about it on the other side. >> this is what senator ayotte said, judge gorsuch made it very clear in all his discussions including senator blumenthal that he could not comment, he has exercised the importance of an independent judiciary and while clear not referencing any specific case finds any judge's -- disheartening and demoralizing, so there's a big difference between the comments made in the tweet and the general philosophy and respect for fellow judges and i think the senator's comments were very clear

said that he asked judge gorsuch if he could say this. and judge gorsuch said yes. as one of our reporters -- >> he went one step further blumenthal in a tv interview this morning. he said that it was the -- gorsuch himself said to him, go ahead and release it. it's okay if you do. and he said sort of, you sure? blah, blah, blah, and it was gorsuch who said release this information that i believe it is demoralizing, disheartening what the president has said about the judiciary. >> and now you have not just somebody from the president's opposing party. also ben sasse who, to be fair, has not been the biggest fan of donald trump, even though he's a fellow republican saying the judge said something similar to him. and more importantly, you have the people who are working for president trump to get his nominee confirmed also saying that this happened. kelly ayotte from new hampshire who is his sherpa. ron bangene who we've all worked with now doing the communications. who has a good deal of credibility on these issues, all supporting what appears to be the truth, which

misrepresent senting what judge gorsuch told him. kristen, he is not misrepresenting what he said at all. according to what the senator's spokesperson told them. >> two of them. >> two of them. >> that's right. it begs the question, andrea, what kinds of communications have they had privately? what does the president think of this? will this create any backlash or cause him to question his support? the white house has been firm. it won't. that he still stands firmly behind judge gorsuch. of course this is a president who does not shy away from conflict. not surprising he would respond in that way to sort of spin this in his own way. as you rightfully point out his advisers confirmed those observations. >> the only thing to do at this point would be to withdraw the nomination. >> that won't happen. this is a nominee he want to get confirmed. right now he is going to be moating for lench lunch with four democratic senators from red states who are vulnerable the white house feels to being picked off base on some of the confirmations, sp

neil gorsuch in 2013. tonight, selected by donald trump as his pick to fill the ninth seat of the u.s. supreme court. let's hear reaction from washington, new jersey. dean on the democrats line. caller: i just watched tonight, the selection, the process of the supreme court judge. happy to see the temperament of the president tonight and i really enjoyed the tonight.'s speech it was very heartfelt. i don't know anything about him, but i think he will make a difference in our country.' not so much make the country great again, but make the country greater. host: you mentioned the temperament of the president tonight. what were you expecting? what were you concerned about? caller: i actually thought it would be a train wreck. it turned out to be quite enjoyable to watch. trumpk -- i'm not at rum supporter but i think with the temperament he had tonight of trying to bring people together, i think if he continues with that spirit that it will be better for him in the long run. it will be better for the country

he praised gorsuch and gorsuch thanked the president for entrusting him. with what he called "a most solemn assignment." >> the 49-year-old is married. he has two daughters. he is from colorado. and harvard law grad. he clerked for justices white and kennedy. now judge gorsuch compared to the late justice antonin scalia. the man he may replace. late last night he called scalia a lion of the law. abc's terry moran with more. >> was that a surprise? was it? >> reporter: in the east room, president trump enjoying the primetime spotlight announcing his supreme court pick, neil gorsuch. >> judge gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and earned bipartisan support. judge gorsuch stepping forward speaking of the honor of the moment. >> standing here in a house of history acutely aware of my own imperfections i pledge if i am confirmed i will do all my powers to permit to be a faithful servant of the constitution laws of this great country. >> reporter: the colorado native has a top tier pedigree, law degree from harvard, also

gorsuch. specifically campaign finance. he has ruled against stricter campaign finance, and joe manchin said that's a concern of his. >> woodruff: finally, lisa, turning to the cabinet, when does it look as if, if you know, the president is going to get all the cabinet choices confirmed? >> i love that question because i have to tell you the atmosphere up here is nothing like i've ever experienced. it's such a frenzy. that's the bottom line. i think the way democrats are handling things right now, blocking, delaying, questioning as much as they can, i think it will be weeks before president trump could see all of his cabinet nominees place. >> woodruff: lisa desjardins reporting for us from the capitol. >capitol. thank you, lisa. >> woodruff: well, we turn now to my interview at the white house today with vice president mike pence, his first since assuming the office. i began by asking the former indiana governor how he thinks first few days in office have gone, a time that some have described as turbulent. >> i think we're

the latest dust up with democratic senator blumenthal over neil gorsuch. gorsuch criticizing going after -- senator blumenthal said he found it disheartening and quote demoralizing, despite gorsuch's spokesperson confirming that conversation, president trump said this. >> you misrepresented his comments totally. >> i wanted to ask you what you're thoughts were, sir. >> his comments were misrepresented totally. >> he was asked in the briefing room to sean spicer, the answer was two

i'm calling on gorsuch. don't that gorsuch, i know enough about him, but what about citizens united? voting citizen, would very much like to see big money government. so i'm waiting to see how at all, ill affect, if the citizens united. that is going to come up again. host: so you want to see as far as you want to see him overturn united? is that your interest? caller: yes, power to the people. of government.ut host: do you think if the judge makes it, do you think there be enough justices 5-4 decision to overturn, even if it as a court case? caller: well, one at least i'm he would be at least one at judge that would look this fresh and fut away. at least one judge. justices, they obviously look for it, i don't changing their minds if citizens united is put up to the court again. hopefully there will be new citizens in and then united might be able to get overturned. moneys a big problem, big in government. host: okay. margaret there. if you go to "washington post" about people interested in calling members

>> the thinking in actuality is gorsuch being gorsuch. he is not entirely cozy with trump, even though he is the supreme court nominee and he has his own views about the role of the judiciary and he's not trying to play to trump at all. in fact, they were not real sure -- the white house privately is telling me, in essence, that gorsuch said what he said in these meetings and they're not going to counter what gorsuch said because he's so firm in his views, even if the president thinks that these views are being misrepresented, it is what gorsuch said. >> yeugene, i want to play something for you. you and i lived some of these moments. i want to travel down memory lane with you. watch. >> i have a judge who is a hater of donald trump, a hater. he's a hater. his name is gonzalo curiel. and he is not doing the right thing. he knows he's unfair. this judge is of mexican heritage. i'm building a wall. >> in you are saying he can't do his job because of his race, is that not the definition of racism? >> i don't think so at all. >> sometimes you

. >> the white house east room packed for a primetime audience, the president announced neil gorsuch as his nominee. after republicans denied obama's nominee at hearing, are they gearing up for a fight. live from the supreme court. >> meanwhile, the trump administration attempting to soften the phrasing of the controversial executive order on immigration. saying it is not a ban despite the president and his spokesperson, both using the term, we'll have the details. >> later, brave wilderness. meet the man who travels around the world, trying to get insects and animals to bite him. >> why? >> if you are more of the great indoor type, you can do what these folks are doing. they're grown people. grown adults being swaddled like babi because bundles of boy come in all sizes. no, really there is a good reason for it apparently. we'll fell you, tell you in "the mix" on wednesday. we made it to february 1st. >> whoo. >> we have indeed. whoo-hoo. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now. kwu. >> don't think it means anything. other than most of us have probably blown through our

you worked with neil gorsuch. tell us about him. >> i had the accomplish of working with judge gorsuch. he's a tremendous guy. i think you heard the real neil gorsuch in his statement. he is understated. he is humble. for a resume, that's stellar. he is a very reserved individual. he was always a pleasure to work with. and as you know, in washington judy, there can be sharp elbows among lawyers who are working for the same climate. 2456s never ththat was never t . he added to the prurk. i followed him on the bench. his rulings remind me a lot of justice scalia in a number of ways. justice o'connor i got to know justice scalia a bit. i think judge gorsuch has a bit of that libertarian streak that justice scalia had in the first amendment area both freedom of religion and freedom of the press and fourth amendment area where he's made some privacy decisions that might have surprised some conservatives. >> elizabeth wydra what's your take. lilibertarian streak in part. >> i have questions on his records on reproductiv

no one is questioning the legal mind of judge gorsuch. but you hear from the right, he's an outstanding choice. what you hear from the left, nancy pelosi, the democrats, he's outside the mainstream. which is it? >> well, i think you're right, nobody can question his credentials. he has a great academy pedigree. he's developing a reputation on the bench for writing well-reasoned opinions. they're scholarly. he's an audit textural. in other words, he believes that the words mean something. he believes we ought to look at the intent as we interpret the constitution but he also gives great deference to the legislative branch. he's been known to say in the past, really the liberals are counting too much on judges and courts to affect their social policy as opposed to the ballot box. in other words, liberals maybe ought to look at how they win elections, let the legislators write the laws and let the judges interpret them. it's interesting, though, he's also known to say he doesn't think judges should pigeonhole themselves. and for one ideologi

pamela brown, what do we know about judge neil gorsuch? >> we know he's been a leading contender for some time leading up to the announcement that he was the pick to feel justice antonin scalia's seat. but during the campaign his name wasn't on the initial list that donald trump released. his name on the second list and we're told recently as people within his circle started scrubbing his judicial record on the federal bench in colorado they liked hadwhat they saw and learned he met with donald trump a few weeks ago and clearly donald trump was impressed by him. conservatives like his track record on federal bench when it comes to religious liberty, separation of powers and he wrote a book saying he didn't believe the law supported assisted suicide. here's what donald trump had a h to say about the nominee tonight. >> i studied every aspect of his life. he could have had any job at any law firm for any amount of money but what wanted to do was be a judge and uphold our laws and constitution. qualifications of judge gorsuch are beyond zpuch

some republicans praising judge gorsuch's comments. >> it sounds like neil gorsuch might be a darn good judge. he's not going to be politically swayed on one side or the other. >> but democrats, including blumenthal himself are still skeptical of the nomination. >> he has to come to the defense of the american judiciary, strongly and explicitly and unequivocally. maybe he's moving in that direction, but it has to be much stronger and more direct. >> reporter: this as the president continues to lash out at the judiciary. >> i don't ever want to call a court biased, so i won't call it biased, and we haven't had a decision yet. but courts seem to be so political. >> reporter: belittling the three-judge panel set to rule any day on his immigration order. >> a bad high school student would understand this. anybody would understand this. suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants -- >> reporter: mr. trump also claiming he initially wanted to delay implementing the ban. >> i wanted to give a month. then i said what about a week? they said, well, you'll have a whole pi

judge gorsuch, the podium, sir, is yours. [applause] judge gorsuch: thank you. mr. president, thank you very much. mr. president, mr. vice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process and you have entrusted me with a most solemn assignment. standing here in a house of history, aware of my own imperfections, i pledge that if i'm confirmed, i will do all my powers that permit to enforce the constitution of laws in this country. for the last decade, i worked as a federal judge at a court that spans six western states. serving about 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with are an inspiration to me. i have watch them fearlessly tending to the rule of law, enforcing the promises of our constitution, and living out daily the judicial oaths to administer justice equally to rich and poor alike. without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of them tonight. the supreme court's work is vital not just to a region of the country but the whole, vital to the protection of people's liberties to the law and in continuity wit

i, i think, we owe a vote to justice gorsuch. i think what, under mitch mcconnell, what they did with merrick garla was wrong, not en get a hearing and not talk with him. under the 60-vote rule, they should have went ahead he didn't make us. give us somebody else. but go through the process. the man deserved that i'm not going to say okay, they did that to us, so i will do it to them. the people of west virginia didn't send me to play games. they sent me to try to get something accomplished. i'm anxious to meet with justice gorsuch. i want to find out a little bit more about him. i know he has a stellar record from the standpoint of his pedigree, how he came up through his education process, everything about him. i want to know more about him. i looking forward to that meeting. i will cast my vote, based what i go home to west virginia, explain why i voted for him or why i voted against him. i will be a i will to do that. neil: senator, very good having you again. i appreciate it. >> neil, always good to be with you. thank you. n

judge gorsuch nominated to the supreme court. let's cross live to the supreme court in washington, and our correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan. the very bestjudge in the country, says donald trump. delivering on a major campaign promise, isn't he? he is indeed. throughout the campaign, donald trump promised he would appoint a justice to fill the va ca ncy appoint a justice to fill the vacancy arising following the death last year ofjustice antonin scalia. he promised he would nominate someone he promised he would nominate someone who just like justice he promised he would nominate someone who just likejustice scalia had a conservative bent. someone pro life. someone pro gun is. he promised he would do even before this. he even talked aboutjudge gorsuch as a perfect candidate and a perfect fit following scalia's legacy. iron travelled the country during the campaign and many voters told me one of the defining reasons why they would pick donald trump as the candidate was because of this promise he made to appoint a staunch conservat

pete, to you, who is judge gorsuch? why is he a plus as republicans in the white house believe because of some of his roots, his mentors? >> first of all, he knows the senate. he was a senate page while his mother was running the epa during the reagan administration. i think conservatives like him for two reasons. they wanted to find someone who would approach the law and vote on cases the way justice scalia would and found someone slightly more conservative than justice scalia on a number of points. they like his view on liberty. i think theecond thing s. a strategic move by the conservative groups. this was a man who was once the law clerk to anthony kennedy. presumably having him on the court would make justice kennedy comfortable. there's been a lot of talk that justice kennedy has said maybe he'll retire this term, next term. that's the seat they really want to get under the trump administration. that would truly change the shape and direction of the supreme court. so if this nomination makes justice kennedy more c

when gorsuch own people says he said them? next. who is done with treatments that don't give you clearer skin. be the you who controls your psoriasis with stelara® just 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses. stelara® may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections and cancer. some serious infections require hospitalization. before treatment, get tested for tuberculosis. before starting stelara® tell your doctor if you think you have an infection or have symptoms such as: fever, sweats, chills, muscle aches or cough. always tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, have had cancer, if you develop any new skin growths or if anyone in your house needs or has recently received a vaccine. alert your doctor of new or worsening problems, including headaches, seizures, confusion and vision problems these may be signs of a rare, potentially fatal brain condition. some serious allergic reactions can occur. do not take stelara® if you are allergic to stelara® or any of its ingredients. m

gorsuch not a surprise. it was a name that was talk b he was a name talked about even during the course of the campaign. so everyone was kind of prepared for this. democrats oppose them by and large, just before republican will support it. >> doug, thank you so much. of course we will see you tomorrow morning. we appreciate your time, thank you. >> 5:34. to this developing story we've been following this morning, 25 year old woman able to get away after two men shove her into a car then take off. now police are working to track down all of the suspects involved in the attempted kidnapping. steve keeley outside police headquarters this morning, steve, what's the latest? >> reporter: well our people watching us on this show for years know we have talked to commissioner ramsey and commissioner ross so many times and they've heard them say best police work comes when the public are part of the team. informants usually tell the cops about a crime that already happened. in this case, sometimes beforehand and what

let's hear more of what judge gorsuch had to say. mr president, mrvice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process. you have entrusted me with a most solemn assignment. standing here in a house of history, and acutely aware of my own imperfections, i pledge that if i am concerned i will do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the constitutional laws of this great country. for the last decade, i've worked as a federaljudge in a court that spans the six western states, serving about 20% of the continental united states and about 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with at every level in our circuit are an inspiration to me. i have watched them furiously turning to the law, enforcing our constitution and living out daily the traditional oaths to administerjustice equally to rich and poor alike. following the law as they find it and without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of them tonight. of course, the supreme court's work is vital not just to a region of the

judge gorsuch, the podium, sir, is yours. [applause] udge gorsuch: thank you. mr. president, thank you very much. mr. president, mr. vice president, you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process and you have entrusted me with a most solemn assignment. standing here in a house of history, aware of my own imperfections, i pledge that if i'm confirmed, i will do all my powers that permit to enforce the constitution of aws in this country. for the last decade, i worked as a federal judge at a court that spans six western states. serving 20% of the continental united states and about 18 million people. the men and women i have worked with are an inspiration to me. i've watched them fear lesley tending to the rule of law, enforcing the promises of our constitution, and living out daily the judicial oaths to administer justice equally to rich and poor alike. following the law as they find it and without respect to their personal political beliefs. i think of them tonight. of course, the supreme court's work is vital not just to a region of the country but