Final answer:
Discussing President Trump's plan to promptly fill a Supreme Court vacancy before the election highlights the political and ideological factors at play during the nomination process. The Senate's approach can vary, as illustrated by their withholding of hearings for Obama's nominee in 2016 versus the quick confirmation of Trump's nominee in 2020.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about President Trump's plan to fill the open Supreme Court seat before the election draws attention to a significant aspect of the U.S. judicial system — the appointment of Supreme Court justices. This process is influenced by political strategies and ideological leanings, often reflecting the President's preferences. In the case of President Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, the Senate used a tactic known as malign neglect by refusing to hold hearings, thus delaying the appointment until after the election. This move was considered controversial as it broke with the precedent of considering nominees even in an election year. In contrast, when President Trump had the opportunity to nominate a justice after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senator McConnell and the Republicans swiftly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett, illustrating a reversal in their approach.
The presidential nomination of Supreme Court justices has long-term implications, with presidents selecting candidates that share their ideological views, as seen with President Obama's appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and President Trump's appointees Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. These appointments are critical because justices serve for life, potentially extending a president's influence well beyond their term. The process defined by the Constitution requires the President's nominee to be evaluated and confirmed by the Senate.