Flags over the U.S. Capitol were ordered at half-staff Friday night as official Washington mourned the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“Tonight we mourn the passing of a giant in American history, a champion for justice, a trailblazer for women,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of his fellow Brooklyn native.
“She would want us all to fight as hard as we can to preserve her legacy,” Schumer tweeted.
Another Brooklyn native, Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., called Ginsburg’s death “a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.”
News of Ginsburg’s death broke as President Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign event in Minnesota. Trump learned of her death as he was leaving the event, and his reaction was caught on TV.
“She just died? Wow. I didn’t know that … She led an amazing life,” Trump said. “What else can you say? She was an amazing woman, whether you agree or not. She was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I’m actually sad to hear that.”
During his campaign speech, Trump touted his list of potential Supreme Court nominees to the crowd of his supporters.
Former President George W. Bush was among Republicans praising Ginsburg in the aftermath of her death.
“She dedicated many of her 87 remarkable years to the pursuit of justice and equality, and she inspired more than one generation of women and girls,” Bush said. “Laura and I are fortunate to have known this smart and humorous trailblazer, and we send our condolences to the Ginsburg family.”
Former President Jimmy Carter called her “a powerful legal mind and a staunch advocate for gender equality … a truly great woman.”
Former New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, whose husband appointed Ginsburg to the Supreme Court, praised Ginsburg as a trailblazer for women in all fields.
“Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me,” she said. “There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG.”
And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed the judicial giant for a lifetime of achievement and integrity.
“Justice Ginsburg embodied justice, brilliance and goodness, and her passing is an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who sacrifice and strive to build a better future for our children,” she said.
In a news release, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Ginsburg “the embodiment of all that it means to be New York tough.”
“While there is still so much progress left to be made on the march towards gender equality and women’s rights, Justice Ginsburg’s legacy will continue to be a beacon for all of us in the fight,” Cuomo said.
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