‘Campaign photo-op’ capturing Barrett ‘flaunting allegiance’ to Trump goes viral: 'Far-right political hack'

Minutes after Justice Clarence Thomas swore in Amy Coney Barrett Monday night she stood by the side of President Donald Trump on the White House balcony overlooking the South Lawn where guests – all Republicans – were assembled.
A photo of the moment captured by CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller has gone viral, with many pointing to it as proof of Justice Barrett's fealty to President Trump. Others say it shows a lack of judicial independence, and that it was a choice for her to stand by his side – a poor choice calling in to question her judgment.
Some say it's tantamount to her appearing in a campaign ad for Trump. Indeed, Trump pinned this quickly-produced taxpayer-funded video featuring Justice Barrett to the top of his Twitter feed.
https://t.co/Wv6WVH6US8— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1603770068
Here's what people are saying about Justice Barrett choosing to stand by align herself with President Trump.
She’s a justice now and this was a choice. https://t.co/BLIvk0KrRk— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1603766472
Amy Coney Barrett makes her first mistake as a SCOTUS justice just moments after becoming a SCOTUS justice: She ta… https://t.co/878iEzx8sO— Tim O'Brien (@Tim O'Brien) 1603770378
@markknoller A portrait of disgrace of a woman who feigns piety but has no real morals or principles whatsoever, on… https://t.co/po8v2pnOep— Mikko Alanne (@Mikko Alanne) 1603767865
Will Justice Barrett be joining President Trump on the campaign trail for the next week? Or will she be too busy in… https://t.co/C7PiBh7Nkq— David Rothschild 🌻 (@David Rothschild 🌻) 1603771664
Last night a GOP consultant messaged me about this event: “If I’m ACB, I don’t go to this. Looks bad and she doesn’… https://t.co/uU6r11AGvr— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1603764031
This isn't an impartial jurist but a far-right political hack flaunting allegiance to a political party over the Co… https://t.co/hfOQwQ67BH— Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦) 1603766303
Just an umpire calling balls and strikes … to obviously benefit one team— Matt O'Brien (@Matt O'Brien) 1603770882
Gonna be really sweet watching Barrett write mediocre dissents for the next 40 years after we expand the courts. https://t.co/ESk4KJdxh0— charlotteclymer@mastodon.social (@charlotteclymer@mastodon.social) 1603772793
They share an affection for the theater of fascism. It bonds them. It’s chilling. https://t.co/CO9kGfK4x1— Dave Zirin (@Dave Zirin) 1603764870
Pure fascism. Expand the court. Kill the filibuster. Admit DC and PR. There will be no "moderation." https://t.co/4zTyibBRvs— Tom Watson (@Tom Watson) 1603765302
Sends quite a message about the high court's independence. https://t.co/yU9Cc12vsR— S.V. Dáte (@S.V. Dáte) 1603763355
This doesn't look like the separation of powers. https://t.co/BPW9TJidsa— Mark Pack 🔶 (@Mark Pack 🔶) 1603783834
Tonight, Barrett had the audacity to say this like we're all stupid: “This separation of duty from political prefer… https://t.co/H84Zde0C5c— Joe Sudbay (@Joe Sudbay) 1603763387
But I do think some members of the conservative bloc will be shrewd in how they rule this spring—which would potent… https://t.co/d50EPWueK5— Taniel (@Taniel) 1603766997
Why is a Supreme Court Justice doing a campaign event for the President a week before the election? This justice an… https://t.co/79dHZxEQHk— Ben Rhodes (@Ben Rhodes) 1603764435
Appearing at a campaign rally for a president while election is going on is a certain way to lower your stature and… https://t.co/MEbuDngjgn— stuart stevens (@stuart stevens) 1603767961
The lawyer’s prayer to St. Thomas More: “... stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose… https://t.co/e6ZsGztjE7— Barb McQuade (@Barb McQuade) 1603801642
Justice Barrett has her own Evita moment. Telling that her new colleagues (except Clarence Thomas) did not attend… https://t.co/r31pAi2snx— Susan Glasser (@Susan Glasser) 1603804497
teammates https://t.co/jpuEaMCzY3— John Harwood (@John Harwood) 1603795808
This photo is proof that Barrett is a partisan hack, willing to pose for Trump's campaign This photo obliterates t… https://t.co/53jZ5tAoso— Joe Sudbay (@Joe Sudbay) 1603802798
“Any justice, judge, or magistrate judge of the United States shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which h… https://t.co/SRKVgzjBBQ— Cristian Farias (@Cristian Farias) 1603767830