Trump names ‘brilliant’ Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court vacancy

Donald Trump has named Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee, setting up a bitter confirmation process.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Rose Garden of the White House on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump has named conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee, saying she was a “brilliant and gifted” woman who was utterly loyal to the constitution.

But his choice of the 48-year-old to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg was savaged by Democrats who warned that her views could jeopardise access to healthcare, abortion and other key rights that Americans hold dear.

The nomination now sets up a bitter confirmation process as Republicans try to confirm Judge Barrett ahead of the November 3 election in the face of strong opposition from Democrats.

In a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Saturday (Sunday AEST), Mr Trump said it was an honour to nominate “one of our nation’s most brilliant and gifted legal minds to the Supreme Court”.

“She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the constitution,’’ he said. “This should be a straightforward and prompt confirmation.”

But Democrats attacked the record and the conservative views of Judge Barrett, a devout Catholic and mother of seven.

“The American people should make no mistake — a vote by any senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said.

He said Judge Barrett’s views were “way to the right of the American people” and that she would become unpopular when more Americans learned what she believed. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris said the choice of Judge Barrett made it clear that the Republicans wanted to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling giving women the legal right to an abortion.

“Trump’s hand-picked successor to Justice Ginsburg’s seat makes it clear: they intend to destroy the Affordable Care Act & overturn Roe. This selection would move the court further right for a generation & harm millions of Americans,” Senator Harris tweeted.

Mr Trump’s Democratic opponent Joe Biden did not attack Judge Barrett directly but he criticised the Republican push to confirm her before the election rather than wait to see who won.

“The Senate should not act on this vacancy until after the American people select their next president and the next congress,” Mr Biden said.

Judge Barrett tried to address concerns that she might allow her religious or personal views to impact her legal judgments.

“I love the United States and I love the United States constitution. I am truly humbled by the prospect of serving on the Supreme Court,” she said.

Judge Barrett said a judge “must apply the law as written’’.

“Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold,” she 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.”

Senate Republicans are planning to hold confirmation hearings over three days from October 12 which would clear the way for a final confirmation vote before the election. Republicans have the numbers to confirm the judge and the hearings are likely to be bitter and partisan.

Judge Barrett, who was raised in New Orleans, was a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School until Mr Trump nominated her to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. The oldest of seven children, she says her Catholic faith is a central pillar of her life and she denies it affects her judicial decisions.

Cameron Stewart is also US contributor for Sky News Australia