Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court

“THE VERY BEST JUDGE IN THE COUNTRY”

by Sharon Rondeau

(Jan. 31, 2017) — At 8:02 p.m. EST, President Donald Trump walked to a podium in the East Room of the White House and reminded voters that he had promised to choose a judge who respects the U.S. Constitution and “the very best judge in the country” in his estimation to fill the spot vacated by the late Antonin Scalia.

Judge Neil Gorsuch is Trump’s nominee.

At 8:04 p.m., Gorsuch and his wife appeared upon Trump’s announcement of Gorsuch as his choice from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trump went on to say that a Supreme Court justice can serve for decades and make a tremendous impact on the shape of the court.

Trump noted that Maureen Scalia, Justice’s Scalia’s widow, was in attendance and asked her to stand.  The president then said that Scalia’s record was a “priority” for him as he made his decision.

“The qualifications of Judge Gorsuch are beyond dispute,” Trump said at 8:08 p.m., again invoking the U.S. Constitution.

Trump then congratulated Gorsuch and his family and said, “Judge Gorsuch, the podium, sir, is yours.”

Gorsuch, 49, then addressed the nation in prepared remarks, stressing the upholding of the Constitution.  He spoke for approximately five minutes about his background, family and faith.