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Donald Trump Election Means Change For The Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Donald Trump will be appointing at least one new justice to the Supreme Court when he takes office.

His election victory is leading some to focus on the judicial branch.

"The Supreme Court is really my primary concern right now," Sacramento's Diana Camacho said.

Camacho didn't vote for Trump. She is now hoping for his success.

"And hope that he can be the best president that he can be, for everyone," Camacho said.

She is adjusting to the idea of the next four years under President Trump and concerned over federal protections of gay marriage if Trump is able to appoint several new conservative justices to the Supreme Court.

"As a gay woman, as a person whose married to a woman, I am concerned about our marriage rights," Camacho said.

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law Professor John Sims says the debate over federal gay marriage protections at the Supreme Court .

"The prospect that it would be possible to unscramble that or undo it seems very unlikely to me," Professor Sims said.

Trump will be appointing a Supreme Court judge to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.
It's possible he could appoint more; there are three justices who are age 79 and over.

Public employee unions and immigration issues could be heard soon.

If Trump appoints more justices, pro-life advocates could also try to overturn Roe vs Wade. The Supreme Court last discussed the issue of abortion two decades ago.

"And they decided not to reconsider Roe, that it was too important to stick by the established law," Professor Sims said.

A new president elect and the prospects of a changing Supreme Court, leading to a new era of legal possibilities.

"This is going to work out and we're going to move forward, nevertheless I'm scared," Camacho said.

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