Contenders: Federal appeals court judges Raymond Kethledge (left), Brett Kavanaugh (centre) and Amy Coney Barrett (Reuters)
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Amid mounting speculation, Donald Trump has made what he described as one of "the most important" decisions of his presidency - a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
The president had said with any of his final four options “you can't go wrong”, and on Monday evening he announced he had opted for the federal appeals judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Mr Kavanaugh's selection was a reward for evangelical Christians and other religious conservatives who have supported his presidency, and creates a significant conservative majority on the panel of the highest court in the land. Here's how it happened.
Mr Trump said earlier on Monday, before announcing his move: “I'm very close to making a final decision. And I believe this person will do a great job,” Mr Trump said. Asked by reporters how many people were being considered, the president said: “Let's say it's the four people ... they're excellent, every one.”
While Trump did not name the four, top contenders were considered to be Mr Kavanaugh himself, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman. The White House has been preparing information materials on all four, who were part of a longer list of 25 names vetted by conservative groups.
Mr Trump tweeted later on Sunday that he was looking forward to the announcement and said an “exceptional person will be chosen!” He is hoping to replicate his successful announcement of Justice Neil Gorsuch last year.
The president has spent the days leading up to the decision mulling the pros and cons of the various options with aides and allies. He expressed renewed interest in Mr Hardiman — the runner-up when Mr Trump nominated Justice Gorsuch, but his thinking is said to remain fluid.
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Mr Hardiman has a personal connection to the president, having served with Mr Trump's sister on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. He also has a compelling personal story: He went to the University of Notre Dame as the first person in his family to go to college. He financed his law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center by driving a taxi.
As Donald Trump's decision on his pick for the new Supreme Court justice nears, concerns are growing over the political leaning of his nominees.
Many fear the conservative politics of certain candidates will see a shift to the right in social issues. For example Kamala Harris, senator for California, has shared her concerns in no uncertain terms on social media.
Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania — up for re-election later this year — says he'll be opposed to any nomination Donald Trump puts forward.
Mr Casey says the list of judges Trump has used to find a Supreme Court nominee is the “fruit of a corrupt process straight from the DC swamp.” He cites involvement of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in drafting the list.
Bob Salera, a campaign spokesman for Senate Republicans, said Casey has “given up any pretense of being a moderate voice” by opposing Mr Trump's nominee sight unseen.
Casey says he is “pro-life,” but regularly sides with supporters of abortion rights in Senate votes.
Mr Casey has pulled no punches in that series of tweets - saying that the nomination is a "corrupt bargain" between the "far right, big corporations and Washington special interests".
Mr Casey has called the Heritage Foundation far-right before, the think tank itself deny those claims.
Former Senator Jon Kyl will guide President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee through the Senate confirmation process.
Known as 'Sherpas' - a reference to the guides that take climbers up Mount Everest - they liaise with the White House and keep an eye out for any roadblocks to the nomination.
White House spokesman Raj Shah said the Arizona Republican “has agreed to serve as the Sherpa for the President's nominee to the Supreme Court.”
Mr Kyl, a former member of Republican leadership, served on the Senate Judiciary Committee before retiring from the Senate in January 2013. He works for Washington-based lobbying firm Covington & Burling.
As the announcement of a new Supreme Court justice nears, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci is running a poll on who is most likely to get the job.
Here is a piece from the Associated Press on how the Supreme Court judge confirmation may play out once a nomination is made.
FINDING THE VOTES
Republicans may have a narrower margin for error than they did when the Senate confirmed Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, by a vote of 54-45 in April 2017.
Democratic Senator Doug Jones of Alabama has replaced Republican Sen. Luther Strange, cutting the GOP's Senate majority to 51-49. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona is battling brain cancer and has not been back to the Capitol since December.
That increases the focus on two Republicans — Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both support a woman's right to have an abortion and will be looking for assurances that the nominee would not overturn the Roe v Wade decision establishing abortion rights. Mr Trump pledged in 2016 that he would be “putting pro-life justices on the court.”
On the Democratic side, the focus will be on Senators Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. All three voted to confirm Mr Gorsuch and are up for re-election in states that Mr Trump won handily. Whatever they decide will upset a large group of voters in their home states.
If Ms Collins and Ms Murkowski vote “no” and Democrats all vote “no,” the nomination would be blocked. If Mr McCain were to miss the vote, only one GOP defection would be needed to block the nomination if all Democrats were opposed.
OLD WOUNDS
Democrats are still stinging from Republicans refusing to even grant a hearing to President Barack Obama's choice to serve on the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland.
They are calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to wait until after the November election to schedule a hearing and vote. Mr McConnell has rejected that possibility, saying the decision to not fill the vacancy under Mr Obama was prefaced on it being a presidential election year.
Democrats say Mr McConnell is being hypocritical in moving forward with the nomination. While that argument won't sway Republicans, their strategy could stiffen Democratic resolve to oppose the nominee. Liberal advocacy groups are challenging Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to keep the Democrats united.
The White House guest list for the Monday night announcement includes Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, and another committee member, John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana .
Mr Kennedy said he was bracing for a tough confirmation battle as Democrats focus the nominee's views of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling legalising abortion.
"I suspect this is going to be a rough, tough, down in the dirt, ear-pulling, nose-biting fight," Mr Kennedy said.
The top democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer has said a weekend move by the Trump administration to undercut the Affordable Care Act is another reason for senators to closely scrutinize the president's Supreme Court nominee.
With little warning, the Republican administration announced it is freezing payments under an "Obamacare" program that protects insurers with sicker patients from financial losses. If the decision is made permanent, it would lead to higher premiums.
Mr Schumer says the administration's action highlights the stakes for senators.
He said: "Because President Trump has said repeatedly that he would nominate judges to overturn the ACA, the Supreme Court vacancy is only further putting health care front and center, raising the stakes for maintaining these vital health care protections."
President Donald Trump is said to have made his choice for the new Supreme Court Justice, according to White House officials - but will wait until 9pm to make the announcement.
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