President Donald Trump accused Senator Richard Blumenthal of misrepresenting comments made to him by Judge Neil Gorsuch, Trump's nominee for the United States Supreme Court.
In an interview on Wednesday, Senator Blumenthal claimed that Gorsuch called President Trump's recent comments about members of the judiciary "disheartening" and "demoralizing."
"I told him how abhorrent Donald Trump’s invective and insults are toward the judiciary. And he said to me that he found them ‘disheartening’ and ‘demoralizing’ — his words," Blumenthal said.
Trump slammed Blumenthal in a tweet on Thursday morning, admonishing the Senator for once having lied about serving in the Vietnam War, and claiming the senator "misrepresented" Judge Gorsuch's comments:
Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017
As it turns out, Trump's criticism of Blumenthal is well founded. While Gorsuch likely used the terms ‘disheartening’ and ‘demoralizing’, it is also unlikely he was referring specifically to the president.
Fox News reports:
White House sources told Fox News that, while Gorsuch had indeed used the words "disheartening" and "demoralizing" during his meeting with Blumenthal, he was not specifically talking about Trump's public spat with the federal judge, and was instead speaking in generalities about attacks on the judiciary.
In addition, former United States Senator Kelly Ayotte, who is leading a team that is helping to shepherd Judge Gorsuch through the Senate, said that the Judge never specifically referred to Trump's comments.
"Judge Gorsuch has made it very clear in all of his discussions with senators, including Senator Blumenthal, that he could not comment on any specific cases and that judicial ethics prevent him from commenting on political matters," Ayotte said in a statement. "He has also emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary, and while he made clear that he was not referring to any specific case, he said that he finds any criticism of a judge's integrity and independence disheartening and demoralizing."
Senator Blumenthal's statement was likely an attempt to drive a wedge between Trump and his nominee, but according to White House advisor Kellyanne Conway, President Trump remains "fully confident in Judge Gorsuch."