PRESIDENT Donald Trump has interviewed four prospective Supreme Court justices and plans to meet with a few more as the White House prepares to select a replacement for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
The new justice will have the potential to be part of precedent-shattering court decisions on abortion, health care, gay marriage and other issues.
The Washington Post reported that the four interviews were with federal appeals judges Raymond Kethledge, Amul Thapar, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
The president spent the weekend at his Bedminster golf club, consulting with advisers, including White House counsel Don McGahn.
McGahn will lead the overall selection and confirmation process, the White House has said, repeating the role he played in the successful confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch last year.
Mr Trump’s push came as the Senate’s top Democrat tried to rally public opposition to any Supreme Court pick who would oppose abortion rights.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a campaign-season call to action for voters to prevent such a nominee by putting “pressure on the Senate”, which confirms judicial nominees.
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