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In conversations with some high-level Republican allies on Hill, the White House indicates that Barrett, a federal appeals judge and Notre Dame law professor, he is the intended candidate, several sources said.
All sources warned that until it is announced by the president, there is always the possibility that Trump will make a last minute change, but the expectation is that Barrett is the pick. He is scheduled to make the announcement on Saturday afternoon.
Barrett, a former paralegal to the late right-wing judge Antonin Scalia, would tip the balance of power in the court more to the right, possibly ahead of a consequential health care case to be discussed the week after Election Day. If her confirmation in the Senate is successful before the November election, the appointment would mark Trump’s third election to the Supreme Court in a presidential term, cementing a conservative stronghold in court for a generation.
Barrett was seen at her South Bend, Indiana home on Friday. It was not clear if Barrett had been told that she was the choice. This is often done as late as possible to keep the ad secret.
“The machinery is in motion,” said one of the sources. In previous nomination announcements, the White House had several pitches planned in case the president made a last-minute decision to switch to another candidate. But a source said it would be surprising if there was a change, as the allies are already getting informed.
The White House declined to comment.
“She was the plan from the beginning. She is the most distinguished and qualified by traditional measures. She has the strongest support among legal conservatives who have dedicated their lives to the court. She will contribute more to the court’s jurisprudence over the years. and decades to come, “according to a former senior administration official familiar with the process.
The mother of seven, Barrett, now 48, was confirmed in 2017 for her current position as a judge in the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which covers Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Born in New Orleans in 1972 and receiving a law degree from Notre Dame in 1997, Barrett worked in private practice and later became a law professor, settling at Notre Dame in 2002.
Advocates on the right have backed his possible nomination because of his writings on faith and law. Religious conservatives were especially motivated by Barrett when, during his 2017 confirmation, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California suggested to him that “dogma lives loudly inside you.” Barrett’s supporters believed the nominee was being looked down upon for his Catholicism.
The president indicated that He has spoken to several candidates, but the White House has been unwilling to say whether other conversations were in person.
Barrett was in the White House on Monday and Tuesday of this week. She impressed the president and others during initial meetings, two sources told CNN earlier this week.
This story has been updated with additional biographical details about Barrett.
Joan Biskupic and Maegan Vazquez contributed to this story.
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