Lindsey Graham says Senate might continue to push through Trump judges

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Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey Graham has not ruled out the possibility of continuing to confirm Donald Trump’s judicial nominees if he loses the election to Joe Biden.

On a call with reporters, including one from The Hill, on Friday morning, Mr Graham, 65, was asked if the committee will keep working up until the inauguration on 20 January, even if Mr Trump loses the election.

“I think we got some district court judges that were Republican and Democrat. But, yeah, the committee will keep operating. I’ll get back with you about more details about how far to go,” he said.

“We’ll see what happens with the presidential race,” Mr Graham added.

There are currently 55 vacancies on the US District Court and two on the appellate court, according to the Hill.

Follow Live: 2020 election results, updates and analysis

Mr Graham, who won reelection as a senator in South Carolina earlier this week after the most expensive Senate race in history, told reporters on Friday that his first priority is to “try to get a coronavirus stimulus package before January.”

“I’ve been in the camp of going big,” he continued. “We need a big package, some Republicans don’t agree. We have to see how the presidential race shapes up.”

When asked on Friday about Mr Trump’s chances of victory in the presidential election, Mr Graham said that there will be a “fight” if the president can win Arizona.

“If Trump comes back in Arizona, and he actually takes Arizona, this is going to be one hell of a fight,” Mr Graham said.

He added: “If at the end of the day he falls short in Arizona, I think most people trust Arizona to have done it right.

“Republicans trust [Arizona] governor [Doug] Ducey.”

Last week, Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, 78, said that he will attempt to confirm all of President Trump’s appointments even if the Republican candidate loses the election.

Speaking to conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, Mr McConnell said: “We’re going to run through the tape. We go through the end of the year, and so does the president. 

“We’re going to fill the 7th Circuit, and I’m hoping we have time to fill the 1st Circuit as well.”

He added: “And we are, by the way, confirming a district judge as soon as we get back after the election, and we’re going to clean the plate, clean all the district judges off as well.”