Ted Cruz Rejects Supreme Court Nomination Speculation

<p>Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has dismissed speculation regarding a potential Supreme Court nomination, stating his response to President Donald Trump would be "not just no, but hell no."</p><p>During an appearance on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, Cruz expressed a preference to remain in politics rather than serve on the Supreme Court. "So look, my answer is not just no, but hell no. And listen, I don't say that lightly. I mean, it’s a big deal. The court is an institution I revere," Cruz told Hannity.</p><p>Trump has previously mentioned Cruz as a possible nominee for the Supreme Court, humorously suggesting he would be the only nominee to receive "100% of the Democrat vote, 100% of the Republican vote" because lawmakers would want to "get him out" of Congress.</p><p>Cruz, who graduated from Princeton University and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, has a background that includes clerking for Chief Justice William Rehnquist and working in private practice. He was sworn into the Senate in 2013 and served as Texas solicitor general from 2003 to 2008, arguing nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.</p><p>During his conversation with Hannity, Cruz referred to Trump as a "good friend," despite their rivalry during the 2016 Republican presidential primary. He emphasized that federal judges typically need to remain apolitical, stating, "Because a principled federal judge stays out of politics and stays out of policy fights."</p><p>Cruz was previously included on a list of potential Supreme Court picks during Trump's 2020 campaign. In response to his inclusion, Cruz stated, "I am grateful for the president’s confidence in me and for his leadership in nominating principled constitutionalists to the federal bench over the last four years." He added that it was an honor to be considered for the Supreme Court and highlighted the court's role in defending the Constitution.</p><p>Fox News's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.</p>