President Trump told Time on Sept. 28 that he regrets appointing Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, saying they have ruled against him "too often." He criticized what he called the justices' consistency while also acknowledging their loyalty to the presidents who nominated them. The remarks followed a Truth Social post about a mail-in voting ruling and drew pushback from some Republicans. Brennan Center data shows the Court sided with the administration, in whole or in part, in 80% of 32 emergency orders since Jan. 20, 2025.
Trump Says He Regrets Nominating Gorsuch, Barrett and Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA; Jacquelyn Martin – Pool via CNP / MEGA
President Donald Trump told Time magazine in an interview published Sept. 28 that he would likely make different choices if he could redo the Supreme Court nominations he made during his first term. The 80-year-old president said he regrets appointing Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh to the high court, arguing they have ruled against him "too often."
What He Said
"What can I do? I put them in," Trump said. "They voted against me too often. I gave them the position of a lifetime, and it's unfortunate what they did."
Trump also criticized what he described as the justices' consistency, saying some of them "stick like glue" to the presidents who nominated them. At the same time he expressed a grudging respect for that loyalty.
Background: Truth Social Outburst and Reactions
The comments followed a Truth Social post in which Trump criticized Gorsuch (59), Barrett (54) and Kavanaugh (61) after they ruled against an executive order that would have restricted how mail-in voting is handled. In that post he accused the court of being "bullied and cajoled by the Radical left" and called it "merely a shell of their former selves."
Eric Lee – Pool via CNP / MEGA
Some Republicans pushed back. Senator John Kennedy told The Hill on Sept. 18 that he believes the justices "do their very best to call it like they see it and that's their job."
How The Data Lines Up
Experts say data do not support Trump's suggestion that the court routinely rules against his administration. The Brennan Center for Justice reports the administration sought Supreme Court decisions on 32 emergency orders since Jan. 20, 2025, and the justices sided with the administration, at least in part, in 80% of those matters.
Why This Matters
Supreme Court nominations are among a president's most consequential choices, shaping U.S. law for decades. Public criticism of jurists by a president who appointed them is unusual and highlights the political tensions surrounding high-profile court decisions — especially on voting rules and emergency powers.
Note: The interview was published in Time and was widely reported. This story summarizes the interview, related posts, reactions and public data from the Brennan Center for Justice.
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