Trump names ultra-conservative Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court Judge

WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated conservative Brett Kavanaugh as the Supreme Court Judge to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy, triggering an epic partisan war over the court's future as Democrats vowed to oppose his choice.

Trump picked Justice Kavanaugh from an original list of 25 judges, which also included prominent Indian-american judge Amul Thapar.

Announcing Kavanaugh's nomination, Trump described the 53-year-old from Maryland, currently a judge in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as one with "impeccable credentials and one of the finest legal minds of our times".

Kavanaugh's nomination needs to be confirmed by the Senate, which is bitterly divided over party lines. Justice Kennedy, 81, had announced his retirement on June 27 after serving the federal judiciary for 43 years. "Tonight it is my honour and privilege to announce that I will nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court," Trump said.

"Judge Kavanaugh has impeccable credentials, unsurpassed qualifications, and a proven commitment to equal justice under the law. Throughout legal circles, he is considered a judge's judge, a true thought leader among his peers," he said.

Trump said Kavanaugh was an incredibly qualified nominee who deserved a swift confirmation and robust bipartisan support. Prior to becoming a judge, he served in the George W Bush administration, first as an associate counsel and then senior associate counsel, and subsequently as assistant to the president and the staff secretary.

While the Republican leadership hailed Trump's choice, Democrats vowed to oppose his nomination. "Judge Kavanaugh should not be allowed anywhere near our nation's highest bench. Let's be clear: a vote for Kavanaugh would be a vote to rip health care from American families and deny women their constitutional right to make their own health care decisions," Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez said.