Trump says he will nominate woman for Supreme Court next week

President Donald Trump said Saturday during a campaign rally that he will submit his nomination for the Supreme Court next week, and that he will pick a woman to replace Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday.

“It will be a woman -- a very talented, very brilliant woman,” Trump said at an evening campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina. “We haven’t chosen yet, but we have numerous women on the list.”

That was a stronger statement than the president gave earlier to reporters as he left the White House, The New York Times reported.

“I would say that a woman would be in first place,” Trump said, adding that he had a “shortlist” of candidates. “Yes, the choice of a woman I would say would certainly be appropriate.”

At the rally, Trump praised Ginsburg, noting that her “landmark rulings, fierce devotion to justice and her courageous battle against cancer inspire all Americans.”

Trump also praised Ginsburg’s friendship with Antonin Scalia, the late Supreme Court justice, adding it was “a powerful reminder we can disagree on fundamental issues while treating each other with decency, dignity and respect.”

Earlier Saturday, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that the Senate should not rush to fill the vacancy, advocating that a nominee should not be put forth until after the November election, The Washington Post reported. She also suggested that whoever wins the election should make the nomination, the newspaper reported.

Trump dismissed Collins' comments.

“I totally disagree with her, we have an obligation,” Trump said. “We won. And we have an obligation as the winners to pick who we want.”

Two possible front-runners to replace Ginsburg are Amy Coney Barrett, a judge on the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and former Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Lagoa, the Times reported.

Of Barrett, Trump said, “She’s very highly respected, I can say that.”

The president called Lagoa “an extraordinary person. I’ve heard incredible things about her.”

“I don’t know her. She’s Hispanic, and highly respected,” Trump said.

Cox Media Group