Trump booed while visiting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's casket at Supreme Court

The president has moved swiftly to fill her seat and questioned her dying wish.

September 24, 2020, 2:00 PM

President Donald Trump was loudly booed by members of the public on Thursday while visiting the casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has been lying in repose outside the Supreme Court.

Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, stood behind the court's massive columns at the top of the court steps as people from the bottom of the steps loudly booed him and chanted, "Vote him out!"

Members of the public have been waiting for hours to file past the flag-draped casket, which will on Friday be moved to the Capitol building where Ginsburg will lie in state.

Standing a block away during the president's visit, they also shouted, "Honor her wish," according to a reporter traveling with Trump. Bystanders also chanted, "Respect her dying wish," as Trump's motorcade passed.

PHOTO: People in the crowd boo President Donald Trump, and first lady Melania Trump as they pay their respects as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court  in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2020.
People in the crowd boo President Donald Trump, and first lady Melania Trump as they pay their respects as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2020.
REX via Shutterstock

"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," Ginsburg reportedly had said, her granddaughter told NPR and the BBC.

On Monday, without evidence, Trump baselessly asserted it had been made up by Democrats.

Later Thursday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dismissed the protesters. "The chants were appalling but certainly to be expected when you're in the heart of the swamp,” she told reporters.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump turns to his left as protesters yell from a block away while he and first lady Melania Trump pay respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court building, Sept. 24, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump turns to his left as protesters yell from a block away while he and first lady Melania Trump pay respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court building, Sept. 24, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, stopped by the court on Wednesday to visit the casket.

Ginsburg, an associate justice who became a historic influence on the court and an American icon, died on Friday. She was 87.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pay their respects to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she lies in repose in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 24, 2020.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pay their respects to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she lies in repose in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 24, 2020.
Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

While Trump praised Ginsburg in the wake of her death, the next day his campaign began fundraising off the Supreme Court vacancy she left, and the president gleefully led chants of "fill that seat" at a campaign rally.

Trump and Senate Republicans have moved quickly to confirm a justice tor replace Ginsburg, with Trump pushing for a vote before the Nov. 3 election.

ABC News' Missy Olazagasti contributed to this report.

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