4 attendees of SCOTUS nomination at Rose Garden test positive for COVID-19

Many guests were seen mingling in close proximity without masks.

October 2, 2020, 6:25 PM

• 5 min read

Less than a week ago, several top White House officials mingled with guests in the Rose Garden as President Donald Trump officially nominated Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.

Many of those guests were seen not wearing masks, fist bumping and greeting one another in close proximity, and their seats didn't appear to be 6 feet apart.

Guests watch as President Donald Trump introduces 7th U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden at the White House Sept. 26, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday night, Hope Hicks, one of Trump's closest advisers, tested positive for coronavirus, then the president and first lady Melania Trump also tested positive. The president and his wife were present at the event, but Hicks was not.

President Donald Trump, center, stands with Judge Amy Coney Barrett as they arrive for a news conference to announce Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, Sept. 26, 2020, in Washington.

On Friday, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, also at the Rose Garden, announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing "symptoms consistent with longtime allergies."

Lee said he took a test only a few days ago "while visiting the White House," which came back negative. He said he will "remain isolated for the next 10 days" and "will be back to work in time" to pursue Barrett's nomination.

Prior to her judgeship, Barrett made a name for herself at Notre Dame Law School, also her alma mater. During her 2017 confirmation process, her Notre Dame Law colleagues penned a glowing – and unanimous – endorsement letter.

University of Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins was also at the Rose Garden event and also announced Friday he had tested positive for the virus.

Left to right, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Attorney General William Barr and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway talk in the Rose Garden after President Donald Trump introduced Judge Amy Coney Barrett, 48, as his nominee to the Supreme Court at the White House, Sept. 26, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

In a statement from the university's vice president, Paul J, Browne, he said Jenkins "learned that a colleague with whom he has been in regular contact tested positive for COVID-19. ... As a result, he is entering an extended period of isolation as indicated by University medical personnel and county health officials."

"My symptoms are mild and I will continue work from home," Jenkins said in the statement. "The positive test is a good reminder for me and perhaps for all of how vigilant we need to be."

Attorney General William Barr also was at the event and seen without a mask, but a Department of Justice spokesperson said he tested negative on Friday.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Hope Hicks was at the Rose Garden event. She was not.

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