Ahead of an appointment that is likely to have wide-ranging ramifications and that could see landmark cases such as Roe v Wade overturned, which guaranteed women the right to legal abortion, reports over the weekend said the president had narrowed the list of candidates to just four individuals ahead of a televised announcement.
Others suggested the former host of the The Apprentice had already made his selection and was merely enjoying stringing people along.
“Looking forward to announcing my final decision on the United States Supreme Court Justice at 9:00pm tomorrow night at the @WhiteHouse. An exceptional person will be chosen,” the president tweeted on Sunday night.
“I have long heard that the most important decision a US President can make is the selection of a Supreme Court Justice – Will be announced tonight at 9.00pm.”
Mr Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday afternoon before returning to Washington from a weekend at his private golf club in New Jersey, where he deliberated his decision amid furious lobbying and frenzied speculation.
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“I’m very close to making a final decision. And I believe this person will do a great job,” Mr Trump said according to the US media pool report. Asked by reporters how many people were being considered, the president said: “Let’s say it’s the four people ... they’re excellent, every one.”
While Mr Trump didn’t name the four, top contenders for the role have included federal appeals judges Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman.
The White House has been preparing information materials on all four, who were part of a longer list of 25 names vetted by conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
The vacancy was created after the resignation of Anthony Kennedy, appointed by a Republican president but who was often a swing voter. While his thoughts could change issue to issue, he was a stalwart defender of 1973’s Roe v Wade judgement, which guaranteed women the right to legal abortion.
Mr Trump, looking to appeal to his evangelical Christian supporters, has claimed he is “pro-life” and has talked of making abortion an issue for individual states to decide. Some observers have said that by appointing a truly conservative justice, Mr Trump would create a court that could permit shopkeepers and hotel owners to refuse to serve gay customers on religious grounds, and approve laws designed to hinder voting rights.
The Associated Press said the president spent the days leading up to the decision mulling the pros and cons of the various options with aides and allies.
He expressed renewed interest in Mr Hardiman, the runner-up when Mr Trump nominated Mr Gorsuch, according to two people with knowledge of his thinking who were not authorised to speak publicly. Social conservatives have been pushing for Ms Barrett, a former Notre Dame law professor and mother-of-seven.
Making public the nomination is just part of the process. His pick then has to be confirmed by the senate, where Republicans hold a 51-49 majority. Given that Senator John McCain, who is receiving treatment for brain cancer, has not been present on Capitol Hill since December this effectively reduces the majority to 50-49
In such circumstances, Democrats would only need to persuade one Republican senator – Susan Collins of Maine is already under intense pressure – to block the candidate.
Monday night’s announcement will unleash a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign from both conservatives and liberals, seeking to put pressure on Democrats in red states and moderate Republicans.
Reports say the Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has been advising Mr Trump that Mr Hardiman and Mr Kethledge are viewed as the two with the best chance of getting confirmed.
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