White House set to hold swearing-in ceremony
At least a dozen people who were at the announcement in September confirmed they had contracted the coronavirus shortly after their attendance. But unlike the Rose Garden event, when many attendees went maskless and social distancing went largely unobserved, a White House official told CNN that the audience at Monday’s swearing-in will be socially distanced and masks will be required.
Like at most events at the White House, the official said individuals near Trump will be tested for coronavirus beforehand. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows also said that the swearing-in will be outdoors.
But Republican senators are split about whether they will attend.
Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, whose state has recently seen the highest transmission rate in the country, said he plans to go, and expects there will be adequate protective measures.
“It sounds like it’s an outdoor event. I mean, that would certainly help that. Obviously, a lot more room, as well as the clean air, so I’m not, I’m not overly concerned. I’m certainly not concerned for myself. I’ll do my part,” Cramer said.
Others, such as Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, had planned to go but are wavering.
“I RSVP’d yes, but I’m reconsidering that,” he said.
When asked if his hesitation had to do with Covid-19, Young demurred, saying it “had to do with a lot of factors.”
Florida Sen. Rick Scott and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott were among those who said they were undecided.
Sens. Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Richard Shelby of Alabama plan to go home after the confirmation vote. And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ardent advocate for conservative judges, will not attend the event, citing a scheduling conflict.
It’s not clear whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has criticized the White House’s internal practices to prevent the spread of Covid-19, will attend.
Barrett will solidify a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court — a major victory for Republicans that will have dramatic implications on decisions made by the high court for decades.
Action on cases related to the President’s taxes and abortion also await her in her first week on the bench.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Betsy Klein, Kristin Wilson, Ali Zazlav, Ted Barrett, Devan Cole, Ariane de Vogue and Caroline Kelly contributed to this report.
