Priebus: Trump likely to name Supreme Court pick around inauguration time

President-elect Donald Trump will commence narrowing the next search for a U.S. Supreme Court justice shortly after the new year and should have it down to one name around the time he takes the oath of office, his future chief of staff Reince Priebus said on Wednesday.

“Obviously, I think that's going to be something that we're going to start after the new year, and certainly by the time we get to inauguration, either shortly before or shortly thereafter,” Priebus told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “We'll reveal the name of who our nominee will be.”

The highest court in the nation has had a vacancy since mid-February when Justice Antonin Scalia died in Texas. Just over a month later, President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland, chief judge of the D.C. Circuit. But the Republican-controlled Senate never acted on the nomination, including not holding confirmation hearings, which would have upended control of the court.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, some Republican lawmakers said the American people should be able to determine the next justice through the 2016 presidential election. During the Republican primaries, Trump unveiled a list of 11 potential justices.

In September, Trump added 10 more names to his Supreme Court shortlist. Hewitt pointed out that some people under consideration are in their late 40s or early 50s.

Priebus said having a younger justice is among the factors Trump will consider.

“Well, I tend to believe younger is better, too, but I can tell you what the president believes is that the most qualified, best person to serve on the Supreme Court is what's most important. And so, but certainly longevity's a factor, but it's just a factor. Competence and having the best possible person nominated is what's most important.”

