Justice Neil Gorsuch, speaking at the Federalist Society's annual dinner on Thursday, sought to use recent examples to prove his point that government overreach is putting ordinary Americans in the crosshairs of the law.
“I've seen too many cases like that, and you may have seen one in the paper just the other day, if the newspapers are to be believed,” Gorsuch said at the Washington Hilton. He spoke to a crowd of conservative legal experts who filled the ballroom.
“Yes, I'm talking about Pnut the Squirrel,” Gorsuch continued.
The judge, who drew laughter and applause, referenced an Instagram-famous squirrel that entered the political fray before the election, but was captured and euthanized by the state of New York over fears of rabies. Some conservatives have championed this story to suggest that Democrats intend to ignore borders while prioritizing trivial matters like tracking someone's pet.
Gorsuch went on to note reports that the squirrel's owner has an OnlyFans account, joking that “there may be a sordid side” to Punat's story.
“[It] “This may include websites that claim to be 'for fans only,'” Gorsuch said. “We do not know the details. We are not aware of any allegations that Punat was involved in these acts.”
Gorsuch on Thursday became the latest conservative justice to deliver the keynote address at the Federalist Society's annual Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner. The dinner was named after the late conservative justice who replaced Mr. Gorsuch on the Supreme Court.
But perhaps more notable is the addition of Gorsuch to retired Justice Stephen Breyer, a member of the Supreme Court's Liberals, an influential group of conservative jurists.
However, Breyer received a warm welcome and reminded the audience that he had attended the first Federalist Society meeting at Yale University in 1982.
Over the course of 30 minutes, the two jurists repeatedly praised the other, claimed they often agreed and envisioned a united front at a time when public support for the Supreme Court was low.
“Each case makes a difference for a lot of people,” Breyer said. “And, judges, I can't tell you not to criticize them — you can criticize them. But the organization has to be independent.”
Two other sitting justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, watched the after-dinner talks from the audience. Three other sitting justices appointed by Republicans, John Roberts, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, did not attend.
The banquet, part of the Federalist Society's annual convention, comes just a week after President-elect Trump's White House victory, and the 6-3 Supreme Court majority that President-elect Trump will hold for years to come. Expectations are rising that the party will be able to further solidify the conservative majority.
Although the Federalist Society takes no official political or legal positions, the nonprofit organization has become an incubator for Republican judicial candidates and the broader conservative legal movement. Leonard Leo, the group's former longtime leader, helped select three Supreme Court nominees during President Trump's first term.
“Some of you work for federal agencies, some of you work for state agencies, and some of you may do so in the future,” Gorsuch joked.
