Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court Justice

It's official. As predicted by many, President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, the New York Times reports. Gorsuch is a "reliably conservative figure" with a similar philosophy to the late Antonin Scalia. If Gorsuch is confirmed, Justice Kennedy would once again be the court's swing vote between its liberal and conservative members. Gorsuch, a 49-year-old federal appeals court judge from Denver, is the youngest nominee in 25 years. Here's what you need to know about Trump's pick:

• The Denver Post looks at Gorsuch's notable cases as a judge, including siding with Hobby Lobby and other religious organizations against the Affordable Care Act and coming out against euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• Similarities to Scalia or not, Gorsuch was always going to be labeled the next coming of the former Supreme Court justice, New Republic argues. That way the GOP can make it seem only obvious that someone like Scalia should be approved to fill "Scalia's chair."
• International Business Times compares the net worth of Gorsuch—who stands to make nearly $250,000 a year as a justice—with those of other justices.
• The New York Times has a nifty chart showing where Gorsuch would fit on the Supreme Court, ideologically speaking. It turns out only Clarence Thomas would be further to the right.
• Gorsuch actually served as a law clerk for Justice Kennedy, and the National Law Journal wonders if there are now too many former clerks on the Supreme Court, limiting its experiential diversity.
• The Denver Post reports Gorsuch is generally well-liked by Colorado University law students, one of whom says he's a "person of character and quality, intellectually curious and willing to debate all sides."
• Gorsuch's family has a history in Washington DC, CNN reports. His mom was an EPA administrator under Reagan. She refused to give Congress records on toxic waste and resigned amid controversy.
• The Human Rights Commission issued a statement against Gorsuch and his "long and troubling career" opposing civil rights. That includes speaking out against marriage equality, which he called part of the liberal "social agenda."

(More Neil Gorsuch stories.)