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Twitter served as the nation’s town square Saturday as politicians, personalities and everyday folk flocked to the social network to offer thoughts on the death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Within hours of his death, Twitter users had sent more than 650,000 tweets about Scalia.
A jurist on the court for three decades, 79-year-old Scalia was one of its most conservative and divisive members.
Responses on Twitter ran the gamut. Tweets ranged from conservatives offering the highest praise to liberals defending their right to offer the opposite. Some raised the question of how the Supreme Court vacancy will affect the coming political year, in particular the presidential election.
Here’s a selection:
The totally unexpected loss of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a massive setback for the Conservative movement and our COUNTRY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 13, 2016
Statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: pic.twitter.com/xazj9dDd5c
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 14, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalia’s family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing. pic.twitter.com/Y51xUMMEId
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 13, 2016
Jeanette & I mourn the loss of Justice Scalia, and our thoughts & prayers are with his wife Maureen & his family. pic.twitter.com/e03KRZRM6q
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2016
What is less than zero? The chances of Obama successfully appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia?
— Conn Carroll (@conncarroll) February 13, 2016
Counterpoint: Failing to confirm a #Scalia replacement could significantly increase voter turnout, which historically works against GOP.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) February 13, 2016
Just landed in DC and heard Justice Scalia passed away. Despite our very clear differences and my public statements, I pray for his family.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 13, 2016
I also extend to them my condolences. I hope others who disagreed with him as firmly as I have, will refrain from ugliness. Decency please.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 13, 2016
J. Scalia email to law clerk who declined to go to church w/ him: “I shall tell the Creator of the Universe you were too busy to see him.”
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 13, 2016
“I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” – Mark Twain #Scalia
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) February 13, 2016
Sad to hear of Justice Scalia death. A great man. I hosted him on a duck hunt. One of the great joys of my life https://t.co/eaYs5b6bcB
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 13, 2016
BREAKING: Trump says he will build a wall around the Supreme Court. #SCOTUS#Scaliapic.twitter.com/ZpPQkUkmdX
— Obnoxious Boston Fan (@realOBF) February 14, 2016
Justice Scalia’s service to our country and his commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law will never be forgotten.
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) February 13, 2016
It’s a fine rule of etiquette for when private individuals die: it does not apply to powerful. influential officials https://t.co/68rEYF26Je
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 13, 2016
It would be particularly strange to withhold our opinions of a man, newly dead, who wrote opinions for a living.
— Jack Shafer (@jackshafer) February 13, 2016
Hey Twitter. Everybody take a breath.
— gwen ifill (@gwenifill) February 13, 2016
