The two judges who have been considered the top finalists to be President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court — Neil Gorsuch and Thomas Hardiman — are being brought to Washington ahead of tonight’s White House announcement, sources tell CNN.
The move comes as there were increasing indications that Gorsuch will be Trump’s choice, sources briefed on the White House deliberations tell CNN.
One source said that Gorsuch was told it was likely him. Those close to the process warn that until it is announced, Trump could change his mind.
“He likes a contest,” one person close to the process said of Trump.
Another one of the sources, familiar with the White House plans, said the administration is taking extraordinary measures to build suspense and keep the final selection under wraps for as close to the 8 p.m. ET announcement as possible.
Two packets of briefing materials are being prepared to give senators Tuesday night: Gorsuch and Hardiman. But one person says “Gorsuch packet” is full and complete, Hardiman is little more than biographical.
One person close to the process says Trump doesn’t view runner-up as a bad thing. “There will be other openings on the court, so the person not picked will be runner-up,” this person said.
The full-court press for confirmation will begin the moment Trump leaves the East Room, with Republican senators being booked on television and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaking on the floor.
Gorsuch was in Washington earlier Tuesday, according to one source close to the process. Hardiman was seen by a CNN producer leaving his Pittsburgh neighborhood Tuesday morning and driving east towards Washington.
Former New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte is the lead White House liaison to the Senate, two people familiar with the plans say, and will take the nominee around as early as tomorrow.
Key Trump selections have been dramatic before. When he was selecting his vice presidential choice it was reported that even after Mike Pence was selected but before it was announced, Trump asked his team if he could change his mind. Additionally, after CNN reported that Trump was set to announce General James Mattis to be his secretary of defense at a rally, his team openly denied the choice in the hours before Trump went ahead and announced it on stage.
