President Donald Trump says he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy that opened up in the wake of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
During an event in Rose Garden at the White House on Saturday, Trump said, “Today it is my honor to nominate one of our nation’s most brilliant and gifted legal minds to the Supreme Court.”
“She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials, and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution, Judge Amy Coney Barrett,” he added.
Barrett was confirmed to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in 2017.
Trump continued, “I further urge all members of the other side of the aisle to provide Judge Barrett with the respectful and dignified hearing that she deserves and frankly that our country deserves.”
The president said Barrett would “decide cases based on the text of the constitution as written” as a Supreme Court justice.
“I urge lawmakers and members of the media to refrain from personal or partisan attacks,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Trump, reading from a teleprompter, makes it official — Amy Coney Barrett is his nominee to replace RBG pic.twitter.com/p6UQA9OrEb
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 26, 2020
Barrett said, “I love the United States, and I love the United States Constitution. I’m truly humbled at the prospect of serving on the Supreme Court.”
“If confirmed, I would not assume the role for the sake in my own circle or certainly not for my own sake. I would assume the role to serve you. I would discharge the judicial oath which requires me to administer justice without respect to persons,” she added.
Her nomination comes just over a week after Ginsburg’s death.
Trump previously announced his intention to nominate a woman to fill the vacancy. He has also stated that he would like the Senate to confirm his nominee before the election.
If confirmed, Barrett would give the court a 6-3 conservative majority that could shape the balance of power for years.