Remarks on the Supreme
Court Nomination of Robert H. Bork to Law Enforcement Officials in
The President. It's a great pleasure
to meet this morning with such distinguished law enforcement officials who've
been active on the front lines of our fight against crime. I'm particularly
pleased to have this opportunity to hear your views on a matter that will have
a continuing impact on law enforcement and criminal justice long after my
administration leaves office: the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to succeed
Lewis Powell as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
The
Supreme Court has always had a critical role in the administration of criminal
justice at both the State and Federal levels. Criminal cases make up one of the
largest categories of the highest Court's decisions. I'm surprised to learn
it's almost one-third of all the cases it considers. And that's why, when it
comes to crime and safety of our citizens, it's so important for our courts to
make a tough, clear-eyed look at the Constitution's purpose to establish
justice and ensure domestic tranquility.
Judge
Robert Bork, whom I nominated nearly 8 weeks ago, would be just such a Justice.
His guiding principle is one of judicial restraint. And Judge Bork believes
that judges should not make the laws; their function is to interpret the laws
based on the Constitution and precedent. It's time we reassert the fundamental
principle of the purpose of criminal justice is to find the truth, not to
coddle criminals. The constitutional rights of the accused must be protected
but so must the rights of our law-abiding citizens.
During
his distinguished career in law and public service, Robert Bork has
demonstrated a genuine concern for the right of our citizens to live in safe
communities and a clear understanding of the problems facing today's law
enforcement professions. As Solicitor General, the Nation's chief legal
advocate before the Supreme Court, he argued the landmark cases that upheld the
constitutionality of capital punishment, a position maintained by Justice Lewis
Powell in his years on the Court. Last term the constitutionality of capital
punishment in cases of particularly brutal murders was narrowly reaffirmed with
the support of Justice Powell, whose seat Judge Bork would fill. It's essential
that capital punishment remain on the books if we're to protect innocent lives
from the tragedy of vicious criminal acts.
As
Solicitor General, Bob Bork also advanced common-sense readings of the
Constitution that would help, not hinder, the search for truth in criminal
trials. He argued the Constitution was intended to assure real justice for all
citizens, not to foster never-ending sparring matches between lawyers. As a
judge on one of our nation's most important appellate courts, Judge Bork has handed
down tough but fair decisions that have protected the rights of victims in the
society as well as the rights of the accused, and our Constitution, we know,
requires no less.
Together,
we've made great strides in the war on crime. A key reason for that progress
has been the appointment of tough-minded judges. For the past 7 years, Federal
criminal sentences have increased 30 percent overall. Judge Bork's nomination
is a crucial opportunity to continue our progress in the war against crime. The
Supreme Court today is closely divided on many important criminal justice
issues. The support given to Judge Bork's nomination by law enforcement
professionals like you and the men and women you represent can help ensure that
Lewis Powell's seat on the Supreme Court is filled by a judge who shares his
support for the rule of law.
Reporter. Mr. President, why are there no women
supporters of Bork on law and order?
The President. I'm not sure there
aren't. Have you asked
Q.
You didn't invite any, so -- your own administration officials take up half the
table.
The President. The other half of the table are leaders of virtually all the law
enforcement organizations in the
Q.
Sir, what can you tell us about the
The President. I don't know, Sam [Sam
Donaldson, ABC News]. I'm not going to get into that. We've got another subject
here. And frankly, we're trying to keep track of what's going on there.
Mr.
Weinberg. We've got to go.
The President. He shut me off. See?
Q.
Would you ask Mrs. Reagan to take our calls so we can find out if she supports
Judge Bork? [Laughter]
The President. She'll take your calls.
Q.
Mr. President, Admiral Poindexter wants to retire at his old rank of vice
admiral. Will you support that?
The President. I'm not going to
comment on that. I just learned that myself.
Q.
Is that something you'd consider?
The President. No answers now.
Q.
It looks like the Russians are planning for a summit in either October or
November. Does that please you, sir?
Mr.
Weinberg. He said no answers. Let's go, please.
The President. You know that I support
the idea of a summit.
Q.
It looks good, doesn't it?
The President. I'm not going to
comment.
Note: The President
spoke at