INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Amul Thapar is the US' first Article III judge of South Asian descent
Donald Trump is likely to nominate his pick for the US Supreme Court justice, a media report said today.Mr Trump is likely to announce his
nominees to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on Monday
The US President, according to the White House, has interviewed seven candidates from his master list of 25 judges.Mr Thapar, 49, a
Cincinnati-based federal appeals court judge, was among the first four candidates interviewed by Mr Trump on July 2
The three others interviewed were justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Raymond Kethledge
A day later Trump interviewed three other individuals.According to National Public Radio (NPR), President Trump has reduced the names of the
potential nominees to three judges -- Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Raymond Kethledge
The first two are the top contenders for the position, said NPR.While final nominees will be known only when Mr Trump makes the
announcement, this would be for the second time that Mr Thapar might not be able to make it to the final cut after being interviewed by
Mr Thapar was on the shortlist of candidates after judge Antonin Scalia died in 2016
Trump finally nominated judge Neil Gorsuch.Talking to reporters travelling with him to Montana abroad Air Force One, Mr Trump said he has
interviewed some "extraordinarily talented and brilliant" people during the process
"I'm very, very happy with them and we will pick somebody who will be outstanding, hopefully for many years to come," he said.Mr Trump has
chosen prime time to make the announcement
"We're going to do it at 9 pm in the White House," he said
This will be 6.30 am IST, 10 July.Asked about the details of the selection process, Mr Trump said he has it down to four people
"I think of the four people, I have it down to three or two
I think they're all outstanding
Honestly, I could pick any of the 25 and they would be terrific
Those are very terrific people
The whole list is extraordinary," he said."I'll have a decision made in my mind by Sunday
We'll announce it on Monday
I'll give you the answer," Mr Trump said.Mr Trump had on Friday discussed the nomination with Vice President Mike Pence in Bedminster, New
