WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has nominated federal appeals judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
The 49-year-old Gorsuch has served on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver since 2006, after being appointed by President George W. Bush. He once worked at the Supreme Court as a law clerk.
If approved by the Senate, Gorsuch would take the seat left vacant since Justice Antonin Scalia died last year. Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama’s nominee for the seat, saying the choice should go Obama’s successor.
He would be the youngest justice since Clarence Thomas joined the court in 1991 at age 43.
Trump made the announcement Tuesday in a prime-time address from the White House.
Congressional leaders, White House staff and President Donald Trump’s family members gathered in the East Room for his Supreme Court announcement.
The event also drew top congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Trump’s former rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Trump’s oldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were on-hand. As was Tony Perkins of the conservative Family Research Council.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski released the following statement on President Trump’s nomination of Judge Gorsuch:
“I applaud President Trump for fulfilling his promise to choose a Supreme Court nominee who will carry on Justice Scalia’s legacy of defending the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. Judge Gorsuch’s record on the bench makes clear his first-rate legal mind, his unwavering commitment to constitutional principles, and his respect for the sanctity of life. I hope the Senate swiftly confirms this exceptionally well-qualified nominee.”
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg made this tweet after the announcement. “Let’s be sure the nomination of Judge Gorsuch is handled with the same fairness that Senate Republicans showed Judge Garland.”
