Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff launched a pointed critique at Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, hinting at potential future Supreme Court appointments should former President Donald Trump be reelected.
CNN reported that Emhoff expressed concerns at a fundraiser about Donald Trump potentially appointing Judge Aileen Cannon to the Supreme Court, emphasizing the long-term impact of such decisions.
The fundraiser, held on Tuesday, was aimed at supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ joint fundraising committee. Hosted by investment banker Stephen Paul and his wife Nancy Paul at their Beverly Hills home, the event successfully raised over $3 million.
Emhoff criticized Judge Aileen Cannon, who recently dismissed a classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. Emhoff’s remarks hinted at a fear that Trump, if reelected, would appoint judges like Cannon who he believes would “do Trump’s bidding.”
Democrats hate Cannon because she refused to go along with the trumped-up charges brought against Trump and they fear Trump appointing more Supreme Court Justices more than anything else.
During his speech, Emhoff emphasized the risks associated with Trump’s potential Supreme Court nominees. He portrayed them as young, precedent-ignoring judges who could influence the American judicial landscape for decades to come.
“(Trump) is unfit to serve, he can’t get anywhere near the White House. But if somehow they win, they can actually appoint two or three more justices,” Emhoff warned, suggesting the gravity of the upcoming elections.
“And they’re going to be, like, in the Aileen Cannon, they don’t follow any precedent, they’re just going to do Trump’s bidding type. And they’re going to be young, and they’re going to be on that bench for 30 or 40 years,” he added, expressing his concerns about the future of the Supreme Court.
Anticipating challenges during the elections, Emhoff called for robust legal and volunteer support. “Let’s continue to raise the money, volunteer. I know there’s a lot of lawyers here, so there’s lots of — you know they’re going to do lots of shenanigans. They’re already talking about that,” he said, highlighting the need for preparedness.
“So we gotta win, we gotta protect the win. So we’re gonna need lawyers. We’re gonna need volunteers,” Emhoff urged the attendees, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the electoral process.
Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has maintained a distance from commenting on Trump’s legal cases and actively discouraged chants of “lock him up” at her rallies, focusing instead on her campaign’s broader issues.
Furthering his critique, Emhoff commented on Trump's deteriorating condition during an interaction on the social media platform X with Elon Musk. He described Trump as “disintegrating” and a “degraded version of an already horrible person.”
“She is strong and she can smell weakness, and Trump is weak. Let’s be honest, this fake tough guy act, this bullying, it’s all falling apart,” Emhoff stated, contrasting Harris’ strength with Trump’s weaknesses.
His remarks painted a picture of urgency and the need for a concerted effort to support Harris' campaign, not just financially but through active engagement in the electoral process.
The comments by Emhoff at the fundraiser highlight the strategic approach of the Harris campaign to not only rally financial support but also prepare for potential legal battles in the upcoming elections.
The event’s success in raising a significant amount of funds and the sharp criticisms of Trump’s potential judicial appointments reflect the heightened stakes of the 2024 presidential race.
As the campaign season progresses, the role of fundraisers and public endorsements by figures like Emhoff could play a critical role in shaping voter perceptions and the overall dynamic of the race.