Showman Trump lines up cast for his Supreme Court choice
President said to favour ‘all-American candidate’ in reality TV-tinged process
DONALD TRUMP is searching for an “all-American” with a “central casting image” to be his Supreme Court nominee as he adopts an Apprentice- style approach to the task.
White House officials close to the US president say personality will be as important a factor as politics in the decision, a strategy Mr Trump has taken with previous high-profile appointments.
Mr Trump has chosen 9pm tomorrow evening, a prime time TV slot, to make his an- nouncement. Adding to the theatre of the appointment, Mr Trump said he had narrowed his choice down to three candidates – but hinted not even all of his inner circle are aware of his choice yet.
Mr Trump is known to have held interviews with the three contenders last week – they are widely reported to be Amy Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge.
The opportunity to nominate a judge to sit on America’s highest court opened up after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he would be stepping down at the age of 81. His retirement gives Mr Trump the chance to select a justice who could overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion, an idea he embraced during the 2016 campaign. As the Supreme Court position is for life, Mr Trump is primed to extend a conservative legacy far beyond his presidency.
Mr Trump is said to be considering the optics of his picks, favouring candidates with wholesome “all-American” images, as much as professional credentials.
“Beyond the qualifications, what really matters is, does this nominee fit a central casting image for a Supreme Court nominee, as well as his or her spouse?” one source close to the White House told Politico.
Mr Kavanaugh, a 53-yearold circuit judge, is widely tipped to be the favourite. The Yale Law School graduate has the backing of powerful conservative legal and political groups and is seen as a safe choice, having written hundreds of legal opinions during his 12 years on the bench.
Ms Barrett, 46, a photogenic mother-of-seven, enjoyed a recent surge in support from conservative Christians but is reported to have performed badly in her interview with Mr Trump.
Mr Kethledge, 51, is a keen hunter and fisherman as well as a judge on the sixth court of appeals. A University of Michigan graduate, his lack of an Ivy League education may rule him out.
A fourth name being circulated by White House sources is Thomas Hardiman, 52, a Philadelphia judge.
One thing is in little doubt – Mr Trump, the former host of the American version of The Apprentice, is mirroring the reality TV-style strategy he adopted with the appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch. When the appointment was finally announced Mr Trump revelled in the showmanship, asking “So was that a surprise? Was it?”
Yesterday, Mr Trump tweeted: “Big decision will soon be made on our next Justice of the Supreme Court!”
Fine day for a fiesta
‘What really matters is, does this nominee fit a central casting image?’