Justice Antonin Scalia, died at the age of 79 after 3 decades on the Supreme Court bench. In the wake of his death, a political “showdown” as it is being referred to has been set off.
His death was 11 months before a new President takes office at the White House. His successor could potentially tip the balance of the US Supreme Court from a conservative majority to a liberal one.
President Barack Obama led the tributes for the US Supreme Court’s longest-serving justice, who was first appointed in 1986 by Ronald Reagan.
“For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin Scalia was a larger than life presence on the bench, a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style,” said Obama.
“Tonight we honor his extraordinary service to our nation and remember one of the towering legal figures of our time.”
Obama also made clear he fully intended to nominate a successor to Scalia, in accordance with his “constitutional responsibilities”, after leading Republicans demanded the task be left to the next president.”These are responsibilities that I take seriously as should everyone,” Obama added. “They’re bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy.”
