White House plans to deploy ‘knife fighters’ to defend Amy Coney Barrett ahead of Supreme Court battle
THE White House is mounting an “aggressive plan” that includes “knife fighters” to defend its Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
A communications team has been formed to execute an “offensive strategy” as Senate Republicans aim to get the president’s nominee confirmed to the high court before Election Day, Fox News reported on Monday.
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Senior White House officials told the outlet that the team consists of two parts: one focused on communications and the other focused on guiding Barrett through the upcoming battle on Capitol Hill.
“We will need to be knife fighters with the opposition, and will be prepared to marshal information quickly, and disseminate it to push back on any false narratives or attacks on her and her family, because we anticipate, unfortunately, that Democrats will go there,” a senior official told Fox News.
“So we’re mounting an offensive technique on her behalf as a result of she is such an unbelievable and provoking nominee.
“We’ll be defending her fiercely day by day.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany will take on the role of “lead spokesperson.”
Deputy Press Secretary Brian Morgenstern, and White House communications officers Alyssa Farah and Ben Williamson, both veterans of Capitol Hill, will also play a part on the team.
Another official told Fox News that the communications crew intends to be “very well-synced” with Senate communicators, together with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office, the Senate Republican convention, and the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“We’ll work intently with them,” the official said.
As for the Hill process, White House Counsel Pat Cippollone and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows will play “integral roles.”
Senior officers told Fox News that Meadows will be tasked with prepping Barrett and guiding her through the Senate.
“He is aware of precisely the senators we’ll have to win over, and the problems that matter to them,” one senior White House official told the outlet.
“He is aware of which senators to focus on that would convey over votes for her, and can assist her to stay unbiased and communicate to her personal judicial document to win these key votes. He’s a Capitol Hill strategist.”
As for Cippollone, one official said he “is aware of what she’ll be questioned on.”
“He’ll know methods to navigate these without telegraphing an excessive amount of to get by way of the affirmation,” one other official informed Fox.
“Between Pat’s authorized thoughts and Meadows’ Hill thoughts, we really feel now we have the strongest crew in place to get by way of this.”
Republicans have pushed for a swift nomination and confirmation to replace late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the court.
President Donald Trump nominated Barrett on Saturday afternoon.
Some Democrats, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have refused to meet with the nominee.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Barrett the week of October 12, according to three sources familiar with the schedule.
The panel plans to start the hearing with opening statements on Monday October 12, and continue with two days of questioning.
The hearings are scheduled to end on Thursday, October 15 with statements from outside groups.