« It is a group of highly talented, very brilliant, mostly conservative judges. »
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President Donald Trump on Friday said he’d announce his pick to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on July 9 and that he’s currently working to narrow down his shortlist of about five candidates.
While speaking on Air Force One, Trump said he will be interviewing candidates this weekend, adding that he’s considering two women for the post, according to NBC News .
“Outside of war and peace, of course, the most important decision you make is the selection of a Supreme Court judge, if you get it. As you know, there are many presidents who never get a choice,” Trump said.
“It is a group of highly talented, very brilliant, mostly conservative judges,” he added.
Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to confirm his plans for deciding on his Supreme Court pick.
I will be making my choice for Justice of the United States Supreme Court on the first Monday after the July 4th Holiday, July 9th!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30,2018
The president’s announcement that he will pick his nomination to the court July 9 signals his intent to seat Kennedy’s replacement before the midterm elections in November despite calls from Democrats to postpone confirmation hearings until after the midterms.
Trump said he doesn’t plan to ask candidates about their stance on abortion, as Republicans work to ease concerns about the ramifications of a more conservative-leaning court in an attempt to gain Democratic votes ahead of a confirmation hearing in the Senate.
Kennedy’s retirement means that Trump will be given a second pick for the Supreme Court after choosing Justice Neil Gorsuch last year. Kennedy served as a key swing vote on the high court, departing from his more conservative colleagues on issues like gay marriage and abortion.
But Trump’s pick could reshape the Supreme Court for decades to come, possibly jeopardizing past court decisions with a new solid conservative majority.
Aaron Credeur is a News Fellow at IJR. He has written on a variety of national topics, including the 2016 presidential election, the state of liberal… more
