Trump nominee won’t say if Brown v. Board of Education was decided correctly

Wendy Vitter, President Trump’s nominee to serve as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, on Wednesday declined to say whether she believes a Supreme Court ruling ending school segregation was “correctly decided.”

As Vitter testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) asked her if she thought Brown v. Board of Education “was correctly decided.” 

{mosads}“Senator, I don’t mean to be coy, but I think I get into a difficult area when I start commenting on Supreme Court decisions — which are correctly decided and which I may disagree with,” Vitter responded.

“Again, my personal, political or religious views I would set aside. That is Supreme Court precedent. It is binding. If I were honored to be confirmed, I would be bound by it and of course I would uphold it.” 

But Blumenthal pressed Vitter by repeating the question. 

“Again, I would respectively not comment on what could be my boss’s ruling, the Supreme Court,” Vitter responded.

“I would be bound by it and if I start commenting on [whether] I agree with this case I don’t agree with this case or don’t agree with this case, I think we get into a slippery slope.”

Vitter later in the hearing said she agreed that segregating schools based on race is immoral when Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked her a question on the topic.

“I just want to know about what you think about the social policy of having schools, Ms. Vitter, segregated by race, even if they’re equal. Can we agree that that’s immoral?” Kennedy asked.

Vitter replied with a “yes.”

Liberal groups, including Planned Parenthood, have slammed Vitter’s nomination, citing her appearance at anti-abortion rights events.

This story was updated on April 16 to reflect Vitter’s exchange with Kennedy.