Donald Trump nominates Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg for Supreme Court

  • Video analysis from ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore


Donald Trump has nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The US president announced his decision at the White House on Saturday, confirming US media reports about his selection.

He said the 48-year-old was "a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials, and unyielding loyalty to the constitution".

Before announcing his choice, Mr Trump paid tribute to the "legal giant and pioneer for women", who had "inspired Americans for generations to come".

Judge Barrett would replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died of cancer on 18 September.

Her nomination will spark a bitter Senate fight to get her confirmed as November's US presidential election looms.

Within hours of Ginsburg’s death, Trump made clear his intention to nominate a woman in her stead, after previously putting two men on the court and as he struggles to mitigate an erosion in support among suburban women.

The pick comes day before Ruth Bader Ginsburg is due to be buried Credit: Jonathan Ernst/AP

Trump’s announcement on Saturday comes before Ginsburg is buried beside her husband next week at Arlington National Cemetery.

Also known as RBG, the 87-year-old had championed gender equality and social justice before and after she was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993.

On Friday, she was the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol, and mourners flocked to the Supreme Court for two days before that to pay respects.