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President Donald Trump spent the day Saturday plunging behind the scenes of the best hopes to open a platform at the US Supreme Court, but did not start interviewing the finalists.
Trump is in Bedminster, New Jersey, private golf club. He has studied the decisions, judicial philosophies and temperaments of his short list, said an administrative official familiar with the process.
Trump, who spends the weekend with his family, had long phone conversations with Don McGahn The President told the press a day earlier that it was possible that he would question one or two candidates in Bedminster. On the weekend, the official said Saturday evening no presidential talks with the candidates had taken place, and that such meetings were not scheduled for Sunday either. Trump returns to the White House Sunday night.
Trump said Friday that he had reduced his search for a candidate to fill a vacant Supreme Court position at about five finalists, including two women, and will announce his choice on July 9. A person familiar with the process said on Friday that White House officials were focusing primarily on five federal court of appeal judges – Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Barrett Coney, Thomas Hardiman, Raymond Kethledge and Amul Thapar.
"I love them all but I" I've reduced it to about five, "Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.In response to a question about Barrett, he l? Called "An Outstanding Woman."
It's Not Clear what other woman might figure on Trump's short list. "Trump said he could consider up to seven candidates.
Trump's schedule might prove optimistic. The FBI is still in "But the president is already acting to speed up the process." He met Thursday at the White House a group of senators from both parties at the White House to discuss the appointment, and his collaborators also spoke to over a dozen other senators.
Trump said q "He would not ask candidates if they would vote to overturn the historic decision of abortion-rights of Roe v. Wade of 1973, an aspiration of several decades of the Republican Party.
'Large group & # 39;
"This is a large group of intellectual talent," said Trump, adding that the candidates are "generally conservative."
The confirmation process promises to be a partisan brawl, but where Republicans have most control over the clock. Trump intends to have a replacement for Kennedy confirmed in time to join the court for his new term in October, said Friday the director of Legislative Affairs of the White House, Marc Short
The Republicans have a 51-49 majority in the Senate, and second-tier Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois said Thursday that few Democrats can do to stop the nomination unless some Republicans fail. Nearly all Republican senators supported Trump's selections and most spoke favorably of Trump's list of candidates for the Supreme Court.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, one of the Democrats in power, said that no matter who is chosen, confirmation will rest on the decisions of two GOP Senators: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both have expressed their support in the past for Roe v. Wade, and last year they showed a willingness to part with their party when they both voted to defeat the GOP Obamacare's repeal effort. at the White House with Collins, Murkowski and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grbadley of Iowa, as well as West Virginia Joe Manchin Senators, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heidi Dakok Heidi North
Hardiman and Thapar group interviewed by Trump before he chose Neil Gorsuch for a vacancy last year. Kethledge was also on the study for this opening, although he did not have an interview with Trump.
Kavanaugh, 53, is a former Kennedy law clerk who sits at the Federal Court of Appeal in Washington and has been a source of controversy for two decades. He was one of Ken Starr's leading independent legal advisors and wrote much of the report that led to the removal of President Bill Clinton.
Kethledge, 51 and Michigan, is also a former Kennedy employee known for his enlightened opinions. He received praise from the Conservatives for voting against the Internal Revenue Service in a case involving a Tea Party group claiming to have been abused on its tax-exempt status application.
Taxi Driver
mid-40, is a Trump named who serves on a federal court of appeal in Indiana. During his Senate hearing, the Democrats questioned the role his Catholic faith would play on the bench. Barrett's supporters have accused Democrats of imposing a religious test.
Thapar, 49, is also appointed by Trump. He was recommended for his current position by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentuckian fellow. Thapar, whose parents immigrated from India, would be the first US-Asian justice. McConnell said Saturday that he had touted Thapar, but acknowledged that he had "no idea" of who would choose Trump, reported the Associated Press.
Hardiman, who turns 53 on July 8, is a former taxi driver. graduated from the university. He sits at a federal court of appeal in Pennsylvania and has been a staunch advocate for gun rights.
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is not among the leading candidates, said the person who knew the discussions
– With the help of Laura Litvan
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