Locked the process by which he was able to do that, insisting the new president should make such an important decision, and of course now it is President Trump who has decided. At the moment there are four liberal leading justices and four liberal leading justices and four conservative Leaning Justices, although one is seen as a swing vote, one of the conservative justices, just as kennedy. So this replacement will be another conservative to the bench which will give the Supreme Court a slightly leaning Conservative Slant justice. Now, President Trump has said he will be picking a conservative justice, said he will be picking a conservativejustice, someone said he will be picking a conservative justice, someone who will uphold the pro life movement, someone will uphold the pro life movement, someone who will preserve gun rights, andi someone who will preserve gun rights, and i think we can now see resident President Trump entering the east room, along with his sons. Here he is. Thank y
Democrats still raw over that move, some vow to filibuster whoever trump nominates setting up another fierce battle in this already tumultuous term. In a reality show twist, President Trump has kept suspense high right up to the last minute. Our chief White House Correspondent john karl in the east room. John, weve never seen anything like this. Its happened not one but two finalists are heading to washington. Reporter george, the president wanted to build up anticipation but it doesnt need any buildup. For all he has done, this will likely be the most consequential decision he has made as president. The two finalists coming into todays date are judge neil gorsuch from the tenth Circuit Court of appeals and judge Thomas Hardiman of the third Circuit Court of appeals. I have been told judge gorsuch has been the frontrunner in this. Hes been compared to Justice Scalia and we will now see. Here is the president. Invited guests plus the press in the room tonight. He is coming out, leaving
President , you and your team have shown me great courtesy in this process. And he entrusted me with the most solemn assignment. I respect, too, in our legal order it is for congress and not the courts to write new laws. It is the role of judges to apply not alter the work of the peoples representatives. A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge. Stretching for results he prefers rather than those the law demands. California senator Dianne Feinstein is the top democrat on the Senate Judiciary committee. Shes expected to aggressively crossexamine the nominee during the hearings he especially beca of the fact that the obamas nominee garland never got a hearing. Chuck schumer, a democrat, tweeted gorsuch put corporations over workers. Hes been ideolog ideologue, so that is a hint of the battle to come. Analysts say gorsuch is just to the right of scalia on the conservative spectrum. Gorsuch will go through a tough Senate Judicial hearing, and thats expected to
Gorsuch to fill the ninth and final seat on the Supreme Court. Good evening, thank you for joining us tonight. Im ama daetz. And im dan ashley. This could be one of the longest lasting acts of the presidency. Justices often serve until their deaths. Kristen sze with what to expect. Neil gorsuch is the youngest nominee in a quarter century. If confirmed he could shape our nation for decades to come. Gorsuch has served on the 10th Circuit Court of appeals in denver for more than ten years, attended Harvard Law School with former president barack obama, in fact, before getting his ph. D. At oxford. Hes had prestigious clerkships including for retired Justice Byron white and anthony kennedy. Gorsuch is originally from colorado but spent years in washington. His mother was actually head of the epa for Ronald Reagan before being forced out because of a toxic waste cleanup scandal. Will replace justice Antonin Scalia, a man he looked up to and paid tribute to. As for how he would rule gorsuch
Tell us about the top contenders, january. Reporter right contenders, jan. He has elite credentials, harvard law. Hes considered a writer, but he doesnt have scalias sharp. The other contender is blue collar with a pull yourself up by the boot straps story. Hes judge Thomas Hardeman of pennsylvania. He graduated from noter dame with honors he put himself through law School Driving a taxi here at georgetown. So two very different personal stories. But scott both solid conservatives. Jan crawford thank you very much. In the east room of the white house we are expecting the president at any moment we now see the crowd is standing and applauding. And here now is the president of the United States. Of the. Thank you thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen. When Justice Scalia passed away suddenly last february, i made a promise to the American People. If i were elected president , i would find the very best judge in the country for the Supreme Court. I prom