On Tuesday, Mark Kirk became the first Republican senator to meet with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.
The senator from Illinois called Garland a "brilliant" legal mind, and said he was "one of the most eminent jurists in the country." The Republicans who are blocking the nomination until after the presidential election and won't meet with Garland are "too closed-minded," Kirk said, and "by leading by example, I'm showing what a rational, responsible guy would do that really wants the constitutional process to go forward."
Kirk is up for reelection, and an anonymous GOP strategist told Politico that meeting with Garland gave Kirk the "perfect opportunity" to "illustrate his independent brand" as he goes up against challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D). In a statement, Duckworth's campaign said Kirk "seems to expect extra credit for doing the bare minimum — in this case, his job."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Is Trump America's CEO?Talking Points The party of free enterprise turns to 'cronyism'
-
Trump said to seek government stake in IntelSpeed Read The president and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan reportedly discussed the proposal at a recent meeting
-
Supreme Court allows social media age check lawSpeed Read The court refused to intervene in a decision that affirmed a Mississippi law requiring social media users to verify their ages
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
