remember justice antonin scalia die last year leave vacancy unite state supreme court result death president barack obama job nominate qualify federal judge replace scalia supreme court merrick garland.garland centrist completely uncontroversial nominee land high court however mitch mcconnell decide goal obstruct president obama rest republicans senate decide meet judge garland give hear vote new president donald trump right-wing extremist approve far-right activist group like heritage foundation nominate one neil gorsuch end democrats take streets since trump election pressure elect senators oppose trump pick.one democratic senator jeff merkley d-oregon say defend keep open supreme court seat effectively steal president obama merkley say via twitter steal seat realdonaldtrump nominate far right extremist unacceptable https //t.co/9bkw4qodxd pic.twitter.com/ivhddb2pn9 senator jeff merkley senjeffmerkley february 2017part statement read strategy pack court successful could threaten fundamental right america include workers right organize women reproductive right right ordinary citizens voice hear elections rather drown corrupt influenceof dark money rich americans president trump serious heal divisions america undo damage work senate republicans last year could name merrick garland fill seat garland centrist jurist respect side aisle instead double division pick ideological extreme nominee satisfy far right senator merkley right court pack far-right matter far-left- ideologues fill thoughtful intellectual jurists let personal opinions supercede rule law mean nothing gop though want anti-worker anti-poor anti-gay anti-immigrant anti-woman agenda push damage nation high court damned.in short merkley urge democratic colleagues unite state senate stand republican obstruction make look bad possible save court far-right ideologues would destroy roll back right americans except rich straight white male century.featured image via alex wong/getty image democratic senator join theresistance say trump steal obama scotus seat detail