Supreme Court pick LIVE: Judge Brett Kavanaugh chosen as Trump's new Supreme Court justice
Act of picking new justice seen as one of most significant a president can make during term
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Your support makes all the difference.Amid mounting speculation, Donald Trump has made what he described as one of "the most important" decisions of his presidency - a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
The president had said with any of his final four options “you can't go wrong”, and on Monday evening he announced he had opted for the federal appeals judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Mr Kavanaugh's selection was a reward for evangelical Christians and other religious conservatives who have supported his presidency, and creates a significant conservative majority on the panel of the highest court in the land. Here's how it happened.
Mr Trump said earlier on Monday, before announcing his move: “I'm very close to making a final decision. And I believe this person will do a great job,” Mr Trump said. Asked by reporters how many people were being considered, the president said: “Let's say it's the four people ... they're excellent, every one.”
While Trump did not name the four, top contenders were considered to be Mr Kavanaugh himself, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman. The White House has been preparing information materials on all four, who were part of a longer list of 25 names vetted by conservative groups.
Mr Trump tweeted later on Sunday that he was looking forward to the announcement and said an “exceptional person will be chosen!” He is hoping to replicate his successful announcement of Justice Neil Gorsuch last year.
The president has spent the days leading up to the decision mulling the pros and cons of the various options with aides and allies. He expressed renewed interest in Mr Hardiman — the runner-up when Mr Trump nominated Justice Gorsuch, but his thinking is said to remain fluid.
Mr Hardiman has a personal connection to the president, having served with Mr Trump's sister on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. He also has a compelling personal story: He went to the University of Notre Dame as the first person in his family to go to college. He financed his law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center by driving a taxi.
Associated Press contributed to this report
Senator John Cornyn has said Republicans know they're in for a contentious battle to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee to serve on the Supreme Court, but “won't back down from the fight.”
Mr Cornyn, the second ranking Republican in the Senate, said it's “extremely disappointing” that some Democrats have made clear they'll oppose the nominee even before the president announces his choice.
Mr Cornyn said Democrats have pledged to stop the nominee at all costs, but “we will see President Trump's nominee confirmed on a timely basis.”
↵Here is some analysis of what might happen whoever Mr Trump chooses tonight
Top contenders for the Supreme Court job have included federal appeals judges Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman. Momentum appeared to be with Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Hardiman, though the process has been fluid.
Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, said late on Monday that he had spoken with Mr Trump and did not think Ms Barrett was the choice. Indeed, she was seen still at her home in Indiana.
Mr Hatch said: "I don't think she's going to be the one who's chosen this time. But I assume she will be next time."
Democrats who were invited to tonight's announcement but declined included Senators. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Doug Jones of Alabama, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Diane Feinstein of California.
Ms Feinstein is the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. The others are Republican targets for the confirmation vote who come from Trump-won states where they face re-election this fall.
The nominee is expected to meet in coming days with senators at their offices, going door-to-door in get-to-know-you sessions ahead of confirmation hearings.
The White House has gone all out in the build up to the announcement - pure suspense-filled action.
Here is the low down on the two current favourites.
Brett Kavanaugh, 53, has served since 2006 on the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. A former White House aide under Bush who previously worked for Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel who investigated Democratic former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, he faced a long confirmation battle when Bush nominated him to his current post.
Thomas Hardiman, 53, has served on the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since 2007, having been appointed by Republican former President George W. Bush, after four years as a U.S. district judge in western Pennsylvania. Hardiman, a one-time cab driver from Waltham, Massachusetts who was the first member of his family to attend college, served alongside Trump's older sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, on the 3rd Circuit. She no longer hears cases.
The pro-choice organisation NARAL has organised a rally outside the court following President Trump’s announcement at 9:30pm ET (2.30am UK). Progressive senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren are excepted to address the crowd.
NBC are reporting that the pick will be Brett Kavanaugh. Let's wait and see what President Trump says...
Melania Trump enters the East Room in the White House to an ovation, we are nearly there.
Here is President Trump and here we go.
One group has already put out a press release through...
FreedomWorks, the conservative advocacy group says:
“Judge Kavanaugh is a fantastic choice to succeed former Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh has proven to be a staunch conservative who has relied on originalism and textualism while serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. We are confident he would strengthen the conservative wing of the Court and preserve the Constitution, as the framers intended.
“Judge Kavanaugh’s criticism of the Chevron deference demonstrates his skepticism towards letting unaccountable government agencies run the show when it comes to regulations. Justice Kavanaugh’s dissent in USTA v. FCC paved the way for the repeal of the needless Title II regulation of the internet. FreedomWorks calls upon Majority Leader McConnell to act swiftly and ensure Kavanaugh is confirmed on the Senate floor. We look forward to supporting Kavanaugh throughout the confirmation process.”
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