President Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Amy Coney Barrett the Supreme Court. 

Mrs. Barrett, a federal appeals court judge, was tapped to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice who passed on September 18.

Mr. Trump’s pick has gained overwhelming support among conservatives. 
It comes as the president trails Democratic nominee Joe Biden in most polls ahead of the November elections. 

The president could expect to use his Supreme Court nomination to change the national conversation from the backlash he has faced over racial tensions and coronavirus response. 

Mrs. Barrett was described as “one of our nation’s most brilliant and gifted legal minds” by Mr. Trump. “She is a woman of unparalleled achievement, towering intellect, sterling credentials and unyielding loyalty to the Constitution.”

The nomination is expected to set off a showdown between Republicans and Democrats at the U.S. Congress. 

Democrats have already said the president should hold on to a nomination because it has become too close to the election. Some also cited a claim by late Ms. Ginsburg’s family that her replacement should only come after another president is “installed.” 

Republicans, who have a Senate majority, pushed back against those arguments as unfortunate and vowed to pursue immediate confirmation of the president’s nominee to the Supreme Court.