Donald Trump 'most likely' to choose a woman 'next week' to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that he expected a nominee to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be announced "next week", and that it will "most likely" be a woman.

The President made the remarks to reporters on Saturday night as he walked out from the White House South Portico to depart for a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, reports Xinhua news agency. "I could see most likely it would be a woman. If somebody were to ask me now, I would say that a woman would be in first place," Trump said of his nominee. "I think the choice will be next week," he added.

Ginsburg, the second female Supreme Court justice in US history and a renowned jurist who championed for gender equality, died on Friday evening of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, maintained that a nominee should be tapped by the new President chosen by voters in the November 3 election.

However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Trump's nominee will get a vote in the Senate.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said on Saturday that given the proximity to the election, the Senate should not vote on the nominee prior to the election.

"I totally disagree with her," Trump told reporters, referring to Collins's statement.

"That's not the next president - hopefully I'll be the next president. We have an obligation to the voters and it's a very simple thing," he added.

Trump also called his shortlist of possible nominees "the greatest list ever assembled".

Amy Coney Barrett, a federal appellate court judge, reportedly has been a front-runner to fill the vacancy. (IANS)

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