© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Is retiring congressman Trey Gowdy heading to the Supreme Court? Here's how it could happen
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who retiring from Congress at the end of the year, could be headed to the Supreme Court if Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has anything to say about it. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Is retiring congressman Trey Gowdy heading to the Supreme Court? Here's how it could happen

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is retiring from Congress at the end of 2018 after serving four terms. A former federal prosecutor, Gowdy said he will pursue a legal career upon his retirement from politics.

But if Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a good friend of Gowdy's, has anything to say about it, Gowdy's post-retirement plans may find their way to the Supreme Court.

What are the details?

Scott revealed in an interview with CNN's Van Jones over the weekend that he plans to recommend Gowdy to be one of the candidates President Donald Trump considers to fill the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy.

"I'm going to recommend Trey Gowdy be one of the folks that I would have a strong recommendation for him serving on the Supreme Court. I hope that the President will be open to that recommendation," Scott said, according to CNN.

Scott lauded Gowdy as an "incredibly fair" man who isn't beholden to party politics.

"A guy who will call balls and strikes and not choose a side, even when he's an elected member, at this time in our nation's history that's hard to find," he explained.

Trump said Friday he will announce his court nominee on July 9. He said there are five people on his short list, including two women. Trump's choice is widely believed to be a justice whose legal views are similar to Justice Neil Gorsuch, whom Trump appointed to high court last year.

Whoever Trump nominates will have a huge influence on the court for possibly the next several decades. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement from the court last week, has largely operated as the court's swing vote for the last three decades. However, a conservative replacement will give conservatives a majority on the court.

How did Gowdy respond?

When asked for comment by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Gowdy declined to say whether or not he is interested in filling Kennedy's seat.

"Senator Scott and I share more than a bond of friendship, we share a passion for a justice system that is both respected and worthy of respect. To earn the respect of someone with the character and integrity of Senator Tim Scott is one of the highlights of my professional career," Gowdy said.

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?