President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday to the Supreme Court lifted the hopes of social conservatives, many of whom believe that what is likely to be a 6-3 conservative majority will usher in favorable decisions on religious freedom and abortion.
Trump, in his nomination speech, emphasized Barrett’s dual role as jurist and mother, mentioning that she is the first woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court with school-aged children. Trump read out the names of Barrett’s seven children, devoting special attention to Barrett’s bond with her son with Down syndrome.
Barrett at the ceremony also spoke at length about her family, joking that they have the number of people as there are justices on the court.
Barrett, whom Trump appointed to the 7th Circuit Court in 2017, received outsize attention in the past week for her religion and the size of her family. Her membership in the ecumenical Christian group People of Praise drew criticism from many people, who erroneously said that it was the inspiration for the cult in Margaret Atwood’s series, The Handmaid’s Tale. At the same time, her vocal Catholicism has prompted many Christians and conservatives to praise her effusively.
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