Biden: Barrett ceremony should follow virus rules

Joe Biden says he doesn't blame President Donald Trump for "celebrating" another Supreme Court confirmation, but the Democratic challenger says the White House event planned Monday night after the Senate vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett is "not appropriate."

Speaking to reporters as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, Biden said hopes Trump "learned a lesson and there will be significant social distancing."

The U.S. death toll from the pandemic tops 224,000. Biden has made Trump's handling of the virus the anchor of his general election campaign.

Biden also has been critical of Republicans' speedy confirmation of Barrett. But he said Monday he gives "my word" that he hasn't decided whether he'd back some Democrats' calls to expand the court if he takes office to counter Republican power plays.

He said he'd give a "bipartisan" commission of "constitutional scholars" 180 days from Inauguration Day to recommend changes to the federal court system. Biden said he's "not a fan" of court expansion but promised to "listen" to experts.