President Trump on Saturday afternoon announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after her death last week.
“Today it is my honor to nominate one of our nation’s most brilliant legal minds to the Supreme Court,” President Trump said at the White House event. “She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials, and unyielding loyalty to the constitution.”
Barrett is currently a Circuit Judge for the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She was appointed to this position by President Trump in 2017.
The president praised her for her legal and academic achievements alongside her efforts as a mother.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence that you have placed in me,” Barrett said to the president after his announcement. “If the senate does me the honor of confirming me, I pledge to discharge the responsibilities of this job to the very best of my ability.”
Barrett also said that she would be “mindful of who came before me” should she be confirmed. She spoke well of Justice Ginsburg’s time as a Supreme Court Justice and remarked on the high expectations of whoever would be appointed to replace her.
“The president has nominated me to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and that institution belongs to all of us,” Barrett said. “If confirmed, I would not assume that role for the sake of those in my own circle, and certainly not for my own sake. I would assume this role to serve you.”