President Obama Announces SCOTUS Nominee

Source: Mark Wilson / Getty

Today, President Barack Obama announced he is nominating appeals court judge Merrick Garland for the open seat on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Garland would replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed last month.

During the announcement Obama said Garland was a diligent public servant who lead the investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing. He stated that Garland had a talent for bringing people together and felt he was a consensus candidate that would make an immediate impact on the Supreme Court.

Garland was confirmed to the US Circuit Court in 1997 with support from both parties, including 7 sitting Republican senators, which many believes will ensure his confirmation.