Fact Check: "Schumer admitted his words about justices were inappropriate."
What We Know
On March 5, 2020, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced backlash for comments he made regarding Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh during a rally outside the Supreme Court. Schumer stated that the justices would "pay the price" if they ruled against abortion rights in an upcoming case. Following widespread criticism, including a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, Schumer expressed regret for his choice of words, stating, "I should not have used the words I used yesterday. They didn’t come out the way I intended them to" (source-1, source-2). He clarified that his remarks were not intended as a threat but rather a warning about potential political consequences for the Republican Party if the court ruled against abortion rights (source-1).
Analysis
Schumer's admission of regret and his acknowledgment that his words were inappropriate are well-documented. He specifically stated, "I shouldn’t have used the words I did," which indicates a recognition of the inappropriateness of his comments (source-2). This aligns with the criticism he received from various political figures, including Chief Justice Roberts, who described Schumer's comments as "inappropriate" and "dangerous" (source-4).
The sources reporting on this incident are credible and include major news outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR, which are known for their journalistic integrity. The comments were also discussed in the context of a politically charged atmosphere surrounding the Supreme Court, highlighting the implications of Schumer's remarks on the broader political landscape (source-3, source-8).
While some Republican leaders attempted to frame Schumer's comments as a direct threat to the justices, Schumer's clarification and regret suggest a recognition of the potential misinterpretation of his words. This indicates a degree of accountability on his part, which is important in political discourse.
Conclusion
The claim that "Schumer admitted his words about justices were inappropriate" is True. Schumer explicitly stated that he regretted his choice of words and acknowledged that they did not convey his intended message. His comments were met with significant criticism, leading to his clarification, which supports the veracity of the claim.
Sources
- Schumer, Criticized for Blasting Justices, Regrets ...
- Schumer says he misspoke in remarks about Supreme ...
- Schumer: I 'should not have used' critical words on justices
- Chief Justice Roberts Rebukes Sen. Chuck Schumer's ...
- Schumer denies threatening Supreme Court justices, but ...
- Schumer walks back SCOTUS comments after Roberts ...
