WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump was met by shouts of "vote him out" and "honor her wish" as he paid his respects Thursday morning to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
What You Need To Know
- The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in repose at the U.S. Supreme Court
- President Trump was met with shouts of "vote him out" during his visit to the late Justice
- Thousands of supporters left flowers, trinkets, and handwritten letters
- One 13-year-old thanks RBG for giving her women's rights and inspiring her to be independent
The remarks refer to Ginsburg’s statement to her granddaughter days before her death saying “her most fervent wish” was to not be replaced until a new president was installed.
The White House responded and said the crowd’s response to the president’s visit was “appalling.”
Ginsburg lay in repose for a second and final day at the Supreme Court. Many supporters said she will forever be remembered as a pioneer of women’s rights and equal justice.
“Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, you inspire me,” 13-year-old Zoe Flynn said, reading her letter to the late-justice outside the Supreme Court.
“Who would I be without you? You gave me a future. Because of you, I can be an independent woman,” Flynn said in the letter.
Flynn said she was struck by the news of Ginsburg’s passing Friday and made sure to come out to the US Supreme Court to express her gratitude.
“She gave me the right to my body,” Flynn said. “And my property and so much more. She just inspires me to be someone, whoever I want to be, someone independent, living my own life, and starting my own life here. It just was very important to me that I was able to celebrate her life and everything that she has done for me and my family.”
Flynn and her mother joined thousands of others honoring Ginsburg as the late justice's casket lay at the top of the court steps.
Debbie Lemons-Hall, who is a grandmother, drove over 20 hours with her husband – from Dallas, Texas to Washington D.C. Due to her medical condition, Lemons-Hall said she could not get close to the casket, but her husband went in line to get a better view and brought back pictures.
“She’s such a towering figure in our republic and I just felt like I just needed to come and show that I cared about it,” Lemons-Hall said.
Lemons-Hall remembered when Ginsburg was appointed in 1993, as the second woman to join the high court.
“It was wonderful,” Lemons-Hall said. “Keep building them up so [they’re] no longer just tokens. It is real representation, and I feel like [Ginsburg] was another step towards that.”
Lemons-Hall said she felt sad for Ginsburg’s passing, but also for the political battle rising on Capitol Hill about filling Ginsburg’s seat.
Flynn echoed this sentiment.
“There’s a lot going on in this country,” Flynn said. “And I was very hopeful that she would live through November, the election, but I want to celebrate her life, not mourn her death.”
Among those paying tribute to Justice Ginsburg were notable figures like former presidents and about 120 of her former clerks.
“You are the first woman in your program at Cornell which amazes me because after your hard childhood you still managed to rise up,” Flynn continued in her letter. “I want to be like you when I grow up. Rest in peace. You will forever be remembered. I hope heaven is treating you well. Much love, Zoe.”
The late-justice will lie in state at the US Capitol Friday, breaking yet another barrier, as the first woman ever to do so.
Full Letter from 13-year-old Zoe Flynn:
“Dear Ruth Bader Ginsburg, you inspire me. You push me to make my own rules and do it my own way. Who would I be without you? You gave me a future. Because of you, I can be an independent woman. I can own my own house. I can choose whether or not I want a baby. I have rights over my body. So much more. You are the first woman in your program at Cornell which amazes me because after your hard childhood you still managed to rise up. I want to be like you when I grow up. Rest in peace; you will forever be remembered. I hope heaven is treating you well. Much love, Zoe.”