Fueled by protest, liberals push for blockade of Trump picks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are racing to respond to the wave of liberal outrage triggered by President Donald Trump, jumping into protests, organizing rallies and vowing to block more of the new president's nominees — including, possibly, his pick for the Supreme Court.

Following a second weekend of protests, a growing number of liberal leaders are demanding a filibuster of Trump's pick for the high court, setting the party on a path of fierce opposition to Trump and potential confrontation with their own elected officials.

Last week, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren faced an outpouring of anger after she cast a committee vote for Ben Carson, the former Republican presidential candidate nominated to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

The national party hopes to ride the energy of airport protests, women's marches and dozens of other actions across the country to electoral victories in governor races this year and next year's congressional midterms.

Democratic lawmakers and leaders joined protests at airports across the country this weekend, delivering impromptu speeches and working with lawyers to negotiate legal access for detained travelers impacted by Trump's temporary travel ban.

Unlike Cabinet nominees, which can pass the Senate solely with GOP votes, any senator can demand the Supreme Court nomination meet a 60-vote threshold — forcing Republicans to find support from at least eight Democrats.