Gorsuch spokesman denies that ‘demoralizing’ remark was about Trump

A spokeswoman for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch on Thursday disputed reports that he called President Trump’s attack on a federal judge “demoralizing.”

While former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) confirmed that Gorsuch used such language in a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), she said it “was not in reference to any specific case.”

“Judge Gorsuch has made it very clear in all of his discussions with senators, including Senator Blumenthal, that he could not comment on any specific cases and that judicial ethics prevent him from commenting on political matters,” former Ayotte (R-N.H.) said, according to Frank Thorp of NBC News. Ayotte is helping guide Gorsuch through his meetings with senators.

“He has also emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary, and while he made clear that he was not referring to any specific case, he said that he finds any criticism of a judge’s integrity and independence disheartening and demoralizing,” she added.

After meeting with Gorsuch, Bluementhal tweeted Wednesday that Gorsuch had called Trump’s attack on a federal judge “disheartening” and “demoralizing.” The comment, according to Blumenthal, was in reference to Trump’s tweets over the weekend where he attacked a federal judge.

Ron Bonjean, another spokesman who is helping Gorsuch, confirmed Blumenthal’s account of the conversation to reporters.

Trump fired back Wednesday morning, blasting Blumenthal and accused him of misrepresenting Gorsuch’s views.