Judge Brett Kavanaugh is Donald Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court vacancy

DONALD Trump’s decision to nominate an arch conservative to the Supreme Court will bring on a “rough, tough, down in the dirt, ear-pulling, nose-biting fight,” a senior Republican has warned.

US President Donald Trump has nominated DC Circuit Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, aiming for a conservative shift on the bench that could have impacts for decades to come.

Trump chose the 53-year-old federal appellate judge for the seat opened up by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Kavanaugh is regarded as being less receptive to abortion and gay rights than Kennedy was. He also has taken an expansive view of executive power and has favoured limits on investigating the president.

With Democrats determined to vigorously oppose Trump’s choice, the Senate confirmation battle is expected to dominate the months leading up to November’s midterm elections. Senate Republicans hold only a 51-49 majority, leaving them hardly any margin if Democrats hold the line. Democratic senators running for re-election in states Trump carried in 2016 will face pressure to back his nominee.

Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said he was bracing for a tough confirmation battle as Democrats focus on abortion. Kennedy, a member of the Judiciary Committee, which will get the first chance to question the nominee, predicted a “rough, tough, down in the dirt, ear-pulling, nose-biting fight.”

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh speaks after US President Donald Trump announced his nomination. Picture: AFP/Mandel Ngan

“A JUDGE THAT OTHER JUDGES READ”

President Trump introduced his Supreme Court nominee as “a judge’s judge” and cited his “proven commitment to equal justice under the law.”

Judge Kavanaugh has “impeccable credentials and unsurpassed qualifications,” Trump said.

The President reportedly made his final decision on Sunday night and informed Judge Kennedy of his choice on Monday. The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also received a heads-up.

A White House official said Trump decided on Kavanaugh because of his large body of jurisprudence cited by other courts, describing him as a “judge that other judges read”.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, his Supreme Court nominee, in the East Room of the White House. Picture: AP/Alex Brandon

TRUMP’S STAMP ON SUPREME COURT

Kavanaugh is Trump’s second high court pick after Justice Neil Gorsuch. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch served as law clerks to Kennedy at the same time early in their legal careers.

Kavanaugh is a longtime fixture of the Republican legal establishment. He has been a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington since 2006 and was also was a key aide to Kenneth Starr during his investigation of President Bill Clinton. He also worked in the White House during George W. Bush’s presidency.

Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and George HW Bush all nominated two judges to the Supreme Court during their presidencies.

Trump’s success in confirming conservative judges, as well as a Supreme Court justice, has cheered Republicans amid concerns about his limited policy achievements and chaotic management style.

Of the court’s liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions looks on before the US president announced Kavanaugh as his Supreme Court nominee. Picture: AFP/Saul Loeb

Lawyer of the US president Rudy Giuliani before the US president announced Kavanaugh as his Supreme Court nominee. Picture: AFP/Saul Loeb

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S SUPREME COURT PICK?

NAME — Brett M. Kavanaugh.

AGE-BIRTHDATE — 53, Feb. 12, 1965.

BIRTHPLACE — Washington, D.C.

EDUCATION — B.A., Yale University, 1987; J.D., Yale Law School, 1990. CURRENT JOB: Since 2006: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

JOB HISTORY — 2003-06: Staff secretary to President George W. Bush; 2001-03: White House counsel’s office; 1999-2001, 1997-98: partner, Kirkland and Ellis law firm; 1998, 1994-97: associate counsel, Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr; 1993-94: law clerk, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy; 1992-93: Office of Solicitor General; 1991-92: law clerk, Judge Alex Kozinski; 1990-91: law clerk, Judge Walter Stapleton.

FAMILY — Wife, Ashley Estes Kavanaugh; two daughters.

QUOTE — “To be sure, the constitutional text does not answer all questions. Sometimes the constitutional text is ambiguous, such as the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses. No doubt that’s true. But in far fewer places than one would think. As I like to say to my law clerks and my students, we should not strain to find ambiguity in clarity. And even in those areas where there is true ambiguity, that should not mean ‘anything goes.’ Just because there are two reasonable readings of a constitutional provision or a statute does not mean that the gates are open to a completely free-form approach.” — May 2014.