A trio of red-state Democratic senators have turned down invitations to attend President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's announcement of his nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Democratic Sens. Joe Donnelly Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (Ind.), Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House MORE (W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Centrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents MORE (N.D.) were invited but declined to attend the event at the White House at 9 p.m. Monday.

Donnelly said in a statement that he declined so that his first meeting with Trump's pick will be "in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience and perspectives."

"I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight's announcement at the WH. I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions," Manchin said in a separate tweet.

I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight's announcement at the WH. I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions. — Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 9, 2018

A spokeswoman for Heitkamp said the North Dakota senator was invited to the White House announcement "but isn't able to attend."

"She has made clear — as she said to the president in person two weeks ago — that she considers fully vetting Supreme Court nominees one of the most important jobs of any U.S. senator, and she plans to fulfill that critical duty," the spokesperson added.

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The three senators are viewed as the Democrats most likely to break ranks and support Trump's forthcoming nomination.



They are running for reelection in red states won by Trump in 2016. And they were the only Democratic senators who supported Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, last year.

In addition to the three Democrats, a trio of Republicans have also declined an invite to attend Trump's announcement. GOP Sens. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE (Maine), Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election MORE (Alaska) and Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRand Paul says he can't judge 'guilt or innocence' in Breonna Taylor case Overnight Health Care: Health officials tell public to trust in science | Despair at CDC under Trump influence | A new vaccine phase 3 trial starts Health officials tell public to trust in science MORE (Ky.) will not be at the White House on Monday night, according to multiple reports.

Democrats are expected to court Collins and Murkowski in the confirmation hearing, as both women are supportive of abortion rights. Collins has said she will not vote for a candidate who shows "hostility" toward Roe v. Wade.

Senators who DECLINED their invites to the White House tonight to hear Trump announce his Supreme Court nominee:



*SUSAN COLLINS

*LISA MURKOWSKI

*RAND PAUL

*JOE DONNELLY

*JOE MANCHIN

*HEIDI HEITKAMP



Who does this confirmation hinge upon the most?



☝️See above☝️ — Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) July 9, 2018

Outside groups on both sides of the aisle are expected to apply enormous pressure to the three Democratic senators as they look to sway them during what's expected to be the most expensive Supreme Court confirmation fight in history.

Republicans and their allied outside groups are pressuring them to vote "yes" and warning that their reelection bids will be tanked if they don't because it will show that the Democratic senators are out of touch with their red-state voters. If a Democratic senator votes "yes," that would allow Republicans to tout Trump's nominee as bipartisan.

Meanwhile, liberals are demanding that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (D-N.Y.) try to strong-arm Heitkamp, Manchin and Donnelly into opposing Trump's nominee.

Because Republicans got rid of the 60-vote filibuster for Supreme Court nominees last year, Democrats don't have the ability to block whoever Trump picks on their own.

Democrats, instead, are focused on winning over at least two GOP senators and keeping their 49-member caucus united in opposition.

—Updated at 8:35 p.m.