National

President Trump saves Supreme Court announcement for prime time

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took some extra time Monday to make one of his most consequential decisions: the selection of a justice who could shift the Supreme Court further to the right for decades.

Trump made his decision after more last-minute consultations about four finalists, including appeals court judges Brett Kavanaugh and Thomas Hardiman, while aides made final plans for a prime time announcement in the East Room at the White House, said people familiar with the process.

"I have long heard that the most important decision a U.S. President can make is the selection of a Supreme Court Justice - Will be announced tonight at 9:00 P.M.," Trump tweeted.

Aides declined to identify Trump's selection, but said he weighed the plus and minuses of four finalists, all of them federal appeals court judges:

  • Brett Kavanaugh of Washington, D.C., the favorite of the conservative legal establishment
  • Thomas Hardiman of Pennsylvania, who was the runner-up to Neil Gorsuch when Trump made his first Supreme Court selection; supporters of Hardiman made a last-minute push in recent days, and aides said Trump remains impressed by him; he also enjoys the support of Trump's sister, retired judge Maryanne Trump Barry
  • Amy Coney Barrett of Indiana, who is backed by religious conservatives, and by Trump advisers who believe it will be more difficult for the Senate to vote against a female nominee
  • Raymond Kethledge of Michigan, who also has many high-profile supporters who see him as a positive alternative to the other three.

"Let’s say it’s the four people," Trump told reporters on Sunday. "But they’re excellent. Every one. You can’t go wrong. But I’m getting very close to making a final decision.”

Trump had said he hoped to make his decision by the time he returned Sunday from a weekend in New Jersey, but he told reporters en route to the White House that he needed more time.

“I’m getting very close to making a final decision," Trump said. "And I believe this person will do a great job."

The White House did announce its "sherpa" for the eventual selection: Former Sen. Jon Kyl., R-Ariz., will accompany the nominee during visits to individual senators.

If confirmed by the Senate, the nominee would replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Throughout his three decades on the court, Kennedy was often the decisive vote in close cases, particularly those involving abortion rights.

Senate Democrats said they plan to oppose Trump's nominee, saying his finalists tend to favor corporations over people and are hostile to abortion rights and other matters of privacy.

Some opponents stressed that Trump worked off a list compiled by members of conservative legal organizations, particularly the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.

"This list is the bidding of corporate special interests hell-bent on handing health care over to insurance companies, crushing unions that represent working men and women, and promoting policies that will leave the middle-class further behind," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

Trump and aides have also been teasing reporters over the selection process, seeking to build suspense ahead of the big event.

Reporters and camera crews are staking out the homes of the four finalists, looking for any sign of movement toward an airport, or, in Kavanaugh's case, toward the White House.

The Senate must confirm Trump's nominee, who will be backed campaign-style by the White House and conservative legal organizations. White House aides said they have prepared "rollout packages" for the four finalists.

The Judicial Crisis Network is planning a $1.4 million ad buy in Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota and West Virginia — states with moderate Democratic senators who could be pressured to vote for Trump's nominee.

The Republican caucus has a 51-49 advantage in the Senate, but one key member, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, is ill and may not be able to participate in the confirmation process.

Democrats who plan to oppose Trump's nominee are focusing on two Republican moderates, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, hoping to turn them against Trump's selection.