President Donald Trump will pay his respects to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court, where she is lying in repose.
In a statement, White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere announced that the president will travel to the court this week, according to a White House pool report.
“The President will pay his respects to the late justice on Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court where she will be lying in repose,” the statement read.
Ginsburg, 87, died on Sept. 18 due to complications from pancreatic cancer, as IJR reported.
Ginsburg’s casket arrived at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, where there will be two days of public viewing. On Friday, she will become the first woman in U.S. history to lie in state in the Capitol.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's casket placed on the Lincoln Catafalque to lie in state – she is the first woman in U.S. history to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/qXZVNXAZVO pic.twitter.com/9D1CKDEwix
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 23, 2020
The death of Ginsburg, a champion of gender equality, has ignited a new battle in the U.S. Senate over whether or not to fill her seat before the general election in November.
Immediately after Trump learned about Ginsburgs’ death on Friday, he responded, “She led an amazing life, what else can you say? She was an amazing woman — whether you agreed or not — she was an amazing woman who led an amazing life.”
“I am sad to hear that,” he added.
In the days following Ginsburg’s death, Trump has said he would like to move expeditiously to nominate a replacement and have the Senate confirm his choice.
Earlier this week, Trump revealed that he had narrowed a list of potential nominees down to five women and that he would prefer if Ginsburg’s replacement was confirmed before the election.
The president said that he would announce his nominee on Saturday.