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Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she has "no doubt" sexism played role in election

Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "No doubt" sexism played role in 2016 election 01:40

For more of Ginsburg's interview with Charlie Rose, watch CBSN and "CBS This Morning"

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined "CBS This Morning" co-anchor Charlie Rose for a wide-ranging interview Tuesday night in New York.

Her interview airs on "Charlie Rose" Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning on "CBS This Morning."

Ginsburg is considered the liberal voice on the United States Supreme Court, appointed by then-President Clinton in 1993. At 84, she is the oldest sitting justice and has been known among her fans, including former President Obama, as "The Notorious RBG."

Along with Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, she is one of three women on the bench.

Sexism and 2016 Election

When asked by Rose whether sexism was part of the 2016 campaign, Ginsburg said, "I have no doubt that it did."

In response to when America will see a female become commander in chief: "We came pretty close," Ginsburg said of Hillary Clinton's run against Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign.

"The more women out there doing things … women come in all sizes and shapes," she told Rose. "To see the entrance of women into places where they were not there before is a hopeful sign."

During the presidential election, Ginsburg admitted she overstepped her own sense of judicial propriety when she called then-candidate Trump, among other things, a "faker."

When asked about the prospect of a Trump presidency, she added: "For the court it could be -- I don't even want to contemplate that."

At the time, Mr. Trump tweeted a response: "Justice Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court has embarrassed all by making very dumb political statements about me. Her mind is shot -- resign!"

Ginsburg subsequently issued a statement regretting her "ill-advised," remarks. 

"I said judges should not talk about political candidates. And the press has blown this up out of all proportion. So I would prefer not to add anything to what I have already said."

America's future

"I'm worried, but I'm encouraged by the number of people, especially young people, who are expressing themselves in opposition," Ginsburg told Rose. "Reminding us of our most basic values: our freedom. And if we surrender that than we really are indistinguishable. It's a real concern of mine."

Other branches of government

Rose had a moment to ask Ginsburg about why this next year will be momentous for the Supreme Court and why people have learned to respect the court -- so much more than the other two branches of government.

Ginsburg told Rose: "We know how to disagree without being disagreeable."

Colin Kaepernick

Ginsburg walked back a comment she made about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in what she called a "gotcha" by then-Yahoo News anchor Katie Couric.

Rose asked Ginsburg about NFL players who kneel during the national anthem in protest of President Trump.

"I'm not going to get engaged in that controversy because one of your colleagues played a game of 'gotcha' with me," Ginsburg told Rose. She said she had never heard of Kaepernick and his show of protest against social inequality.

"She [Katie Couric] got me to say something I would not have said if I had been better informed."

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