Trump says he’ll make Supreme Court pick on Saturday

President Trump plans to announce his nominee to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court on Saturday. 

“I will be announcing my Supreme Court Nominee on Saturday, at the White House! Exact time TBA,” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning, after saying Monday that he expected to announce his nominee Friday or Saturday. Trump later told reporters that he would announce his choice at 5 p.m. Saturday. 

Trump has said that he is weighing five candidates for the Supreme Court vacancy, though Judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa, both of whom Trump nominated to the federal appellate bench, are seen as the top contenders. Allison Jones Rushing, another federal appeals court judge, is also among those being considered by Trump. 

On Monday, Trump met with Barrett, who serves on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, at the White House.

Barrett is viewed as a front-runner for the nomination, particularly because she is well-known among conservatives and was recently vetted for her current court position. Trump also met with her in 2018 when weighing a replacement for the vacancy left by Justice Anthony Kennedy, though he ultimately nominated Brett Kavanaugh. 

Lagoa, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, is also considered a top contender for the nomination, though Trump is not as familiar with her. Trump told reporters Monday that he may meet with Lagoa, a native of Miami, Fla., when he travels to the state later this week. 

Trump has made clear he wants to see the Senate vote on his nominee before the November election, despite opposition from Democrats and at least two GOP senators. Most Republican senators have lined up to support Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) pledge that Trump’s nominee will get a vote on the Senate floor.

Updated: 6:24 p.m.