The President: Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Friends and distinguished guests, welcome
to the White House.
We are gathered here today for a truly momentous occasion
in our democracy -- the swearing-in
of a United States Supreme Court justice.
In particular, I'm greatly honored to welcome
to these grounds every sitting justice
of the United States Supreme Court.
Welcome.
(Applause.)
Thank you.
Mr. Chief Justice, and fellow justices,
it's a privilege to have you here, to join in this
historic moment on this very beautiful spring day
in the Rose Garden.
Spring is really the perfect backdrop
for this joyful gathering of friends, because, together,
we are in a process of reviewing and renewing, and also
rebuilding, our country.
A new optimism is sweeping across our land,
and a new faith in America is filling our hearts
and lifting our sights.
I'd also like to recognize Senator Cory Gardner,
Mike Lee -- where's Mike?
He's around here someplace -- thank you.
And Mike Crapo.
Good.
Hi, Mike.
Thank you very much, and for all your work.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
And although he could not be here
today, I especially want to express our gratitude
to Senator Mitch McConnell for all that he did to
make this achievement possible.
So, thank you, Mitch.
(Applause.)
I'd also like to give my appreciation
to Chairman Grassley for conducting such a fair
and professional confirmation.
Senator Grassley.
Where is Senator Grassley?
(Applause.)
Thank you.
Thank you, Senator.
Finally, a profound thank you to Louise Gorsuch,
and to all of the Gorsuch family.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
And, Louise, I've heard it firsthand,
I know what a total inspiration you are
to your husband and to your entire family.
So, thank you very much.
Fantastic.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
We are here to celebrate history --
the taking of the judicial oath by the newest member
of the United States Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch.
Justice Gorsuch, I just want to congratulate you
and your entire family.
It's something so special.
In fact, I've always heard that the most important
thing that a President of the United States does
is appoint people -- hopefully great people
like this appointment -- to the United States Supreme Court.
And I can say this is a great honor.
(Applause.)
And I got it done in the first 100 days.
(Laughter.)
You think that's easy?
This ceremony has special meaning as Justice Gorsuch
is filling the seat of one of the greatest Supreme Court
judges in American history, and that's
Antonin Scalia, who is a terrific -- was a terrific judge
and a terrific person.
Justice Scalia was a patriot who revered
our Constitution.
He was beloved by many, very many, who are here today,
and he is deeply missed by all of us.
I want to at this time recognize his incredible
wife, Maureen, who I got to know very well over
the last short period of time.
And, Maureen, please stand up.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
Thank you and your family.
Thank you.
Thank you, Maureen.
Americans are blessed to have in Neil Gorsuch a man
who will, likewise, be a devoted servant of the law.
Over the past two months, the American people have
gotten to know, respect and truly admire
our newest member of the United States Supreme Court.
In Justice Gorsuch, they see a man of great
and unquestioned integrity.
They see a man of unmatched qualifications.
And most of all, and most importantly, they see
a man who is deeply faithful to the Constitution
of the United States.
He will decide cases based not on his personal
preferences, but based on a fair and objective
reading of the law.
Today, we have all three branches of government
represented at this event.
It is a very special thing -- and a very special happening.
And it's worth taking just a minute to remember
what it all means.
In our Founders' incredible wisdom,
they gave each branch of government a different
role in our Great Republic.
We have a Congress to write the laws
on behalf of the people.
We have a President to enforce those laws
and defend our nation.
And we have a Supreme Court to apply and interpret the law,
in a fair and impartial manner, when disagreements arise.
The Founders separated power because they knew
it was the best way to protect our citizens
and keep our Constitution secure.
Justice Gorsuch, you are now entrusted with the sacred duty
of defending our Constitution.
Our country is counting on you to be wise, impartial
and fair -- to serve under our laws, not over them,
and to safeguard the right of the people to govern
their own affairs.
I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion
and that the decisions you will make will not only
protect our Constitution today, but for many generations
of Americans to come.
In just a moment, Justice Gorsuch will be sworn in
by Justice Kennedy, a great man
of outstanding accomplishment.
Throughout his nearly 30 years on the Supreme
Court, Justice Kennedy has been praised by all
for his dedicated and dignified service.
We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude,
and I am honored that he is with us today.
(Applause.)
This is a very, very special moment, because many years ago,
a young Neil Gorsuch started his legal career as a law clerk
to Justice Kennedy.
You remember that, right?
(Laughter.)
It is a fitting testament to Justice Kennedy's impact that,
upon giving the oath to Justice Gorsuch, he will become
the first ever Supreme Court justice to serve with
one of his former law clerks.
It's sort of a big deal, isn't it?
(Applause.)
Sort of like that.
That's sort of good.
It has never happened before.
That's pretty good.
Also shows you have a lot of respect for this man.
Very good.
We're thrilled to share this historic moment with
Justice Kennedy, with all of you here today,
and with all Americans watching us at home.
Justice Gorsuch, I again congratulate you
and your entire family, and I wish God's blessings
on your amazing journey ahead.
I have no doubt you will go down as one of the
truly great justices in the history of the United States
Supreme Court.
I now invite Justice Kennedy to say a few words.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
Justice Kennedy: Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. Chief Justice, Justice Gorsuch, and my fellow adherents
to the idea and the reality of the rule of law.
As many of you know, there are two oaths that a member
of the federal judiciary must take.
The first is the constitutional oath that
so many of you are familiar with that applies
to all three branches of the government.
The second oath is one that applies just to federal judges.
Both of the oaths date from the founding
of the Republic; the judicial oath dates from 1789.
And both of these oaths remind us that we as a people
are bound together, we as a people find
our self-definition, our respect, our heritage,
and our destiny in the Constitution.
And so, Justice Gorsuch, there is one oath
remaining for you to take -- the judicial oath -- before you may
receive and accept your commission from the President
of the United States.
Are you ready, Justice Gorsuch, to take the oath?
Justice Kennedy: Are you ready to take the oath,
Justice Gorsuch?
Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.
I Neil M. Gorsuch do solemnly swear.
Judge Gorsuch: I, Neil M. Gorsuch do solemnly swear.
Justice Kennedy: That I will administer justice
without respect to preservice.
Judge Gorsuch: That I will administer justice without
respect to preservice.
Justice Kennedy: And do equal right to the poor
and to the rich.
Judge Gorsuch: And do equal right to the poor
and to the rich.
Justice Kennedy: And that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge and perform.
Judge Gorsuch: And that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge and perform.
Justice Kennedy: All the duties incumbent upon me.
Judge Gorsuch: All the duties incumbent upon me.
Justice Kennedy: As Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
Judge Gorsuch: As Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
Justice Kennedy: Under the Constitution and laws of
the United States.
Judge Gorsuch: Under the Constitution and laws of
the United States.
Justice Kennedy: So, help me God.
Judge Gorsuch: So, help me God.
(Applause.)
Judge Gorsuch: I see before me so many
to whom I owe so much.
I know I would not be here today without your
friendship and support.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I want to thank the President for nominating me
and for the great confidence and trust he's reposed in me.
I want to thank the Vice President for his constant
encouragement and friendship throughout this process.
It's not possible to mention here everyone
I should mention, but I'd be remiss if I didn't thank
the President's counsel, Don McGahn, and Mark Paoletta,
the Vice President's counsel, and every single person
in the White House Counsel's Office for their tremendous
and tireless support.
I want thank Kelly Ayotte and my day-to-day team
for their humor, for their sage advice, for their faith,
as we spent months and so many miles
trooping together through the Senate complex.
I want to thank every single person -- and there
are so many -- in the White House and the
Department of Justice who worked through so many
late nights and long weeks on my behalf.
I want to thank, too, Senator McConnell
and Senator Grassley and their excellent teams for their
support and leadership.
And I must thank my former law clerks and my dear friends
who gave so much of themselves so selflessly through these
last three months.
You are dear to me.
This is truly your doing, and this is your day.
I wish I could mention each of you by name,
but you know who you are and you know your names
are etched in my heart forever.
This process has reminded me just how outrageously
blessed I am in my law clerks, and my family,
and my friends.
And I hope that I may continue to rely on each
of you as I face this new challenge.
To my former colleagues and the wonderful staff
of the 10th Circuit, I thank you for your faithful service
and your friendship over so many years.
To my new colleagues and staff on the Supreme Court,
thank you for the very warm welcome.
I look forward to many happy years together.
And I cannot tell you how honored I am to have here
today my mentor, Justice Kennedy, administer
the judicial oath, a beautiful oath, as he did for me
11 years ago when I became a Circuit judge.
To the Scalia family, I won't ever forget that
the seat I inherit today is that of a very, very great man.
To my wife, Louise, and my daughters, Emma and Bindi,
thank you for your perseverance and your patience, your courage,
and your love.
I simply could not have attempted this without you.
And to the American people, I am humbled
by the trust placed in me today.
I will never forget that to whom much is given,
much will be expected.
And I promise you that I will do all my powers
permit to be a faithful servant of the Constitution
and laws of this great nation.
Thank you.