President Trump is to name choice of Supreme Court justice

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Supreme Court rulings have been responsible for some of the biggest social changes in US history
Image Caption:Supreme Court rulings have been responsible for some of the biggest social changes in US history
Donald Trump is used to delivering some primetime jeopardy to the American public.
The former host of The Apprentice thrilled millions for more than a decade with his casual "You're fired" despatch of hopefuls.
There is considerably more at stake with the decision Trump will announce on US primetime tonight.
Antonin Scalia died in February 2016 having served as a Supreme Court justice for 30 years
Image Caption:Antonin Scalia died in 2016 having served as a Supreme Court justice for 30 years
Many of those who voted for the tycoon did so because of their concerns about who would fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the death of Antonin Scalia a year ago.
Scalia was famously conservative and on the campaign trail Trump promised he would name a justice who would adhere just as vehemently to the US Constitution.
His choice will need to be confirmed by the Senate - and Trump faces a battle with Democrats who are still angry at the refusal of Republicans to even consider President Obama's nominee Merrick Garland.
They claimed it was wrong to appoint a justice so near to the end of a president's term. Democrats claim it effectively robbed Obama of his right to appoint a justice.
President Obama nominated Merrick Garland but Senate Republicans refused to vote on it
Image Caption:President Obama nominated Merrick Garland but Senate Republicans refused to vote on it
The Supreme Court pick is one of the consequential decisions of any presidency because it is, in effect, a job for life. The justice and his or her decisions live on long past the president's term.
Trump's rhetoric suggests the highest court in the land could be asked to rule on issues like abortion, climate change, the death penalty, LGBT rights and affirmative action.
The nine Supreme Court justices pictured before the death of Antonin Scalia.
Image Caption:The nine Supreme Court justices pictured before the death of Antonin Scalia
The Supreme Court is currently split evenly between justices appointed by Republican and Democrat presidents. Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by Ronald Reagan, is a moderate conservative who has often been the swing vote.
It means Trump's choice will effectively restore the balance of power that existed before Scalia's death.
He appears to have narrowed his options to Thomas Hardiman and Neil Gorsuch.
Thomas Hardiman sits on the 3rd US Circuit Court. Pic Roy Engelbrecht
Image Caption:Thomas Hardiman sits on the 3rd US Circuit Court. Pic Roy Engelbrecht
Hardiman, 51, sits on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals and has reportedly been recommended by President Trump's sister Maryanne, who is also a judge in the same court.
He has a record of support for gun rights and a conservative track record on law and order. He also drove a taxi to raise money for law school and also volunteered in immigration legal aid clinic.
Gorsuch, 49, serves on the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals and has a much more conservative record. Like Scalia, he believes in the original interpretation of the US Constitution.
This might not be the only Supreme Court appointment of Trump term in office - three existing justice are 78 or older - and the next would probably shift the balance of power.
This primetime Supreme Court show could run and run.

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