Barrett is Trump's Supreme Court pick to replace RBG

Selection announcement expected by weekend

Impeached and manifestly unfit U.S. President Donald Trump met with Judge Amy Coney Barrett at the White House on Monday. The right-wing jurist is Trump's presumed top pick to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.

And so begins what will surely be an epic Senate confirmation battle, reports the Associated Press:

The president told reporters he was still going to be interviewing other candidates and might meet with Judge Barbara Lagoa when he travels to Florida later this week. But Barrett has long been favored by conservatives, and those familiar with the process said interest inside the White House seemed to be waning for Lagoa amid concerns by some that she did not have a proven record as a conservative jurist.

Democrats, led by presidential nominee Joe Biden, are protesting the Republicans' rush to replace Ginsburg, saying voters should speak first, on Election Day, Nov. 3, and the winner of the White House should fill the vacancy.

Trump dismissed those arguments, telling "Fox & Friends," "I think that would be good for the Republican Party, and I think it would be good for everybody to get it over with."

Read more at apnews.com: Barrett emerges as court favorite; Trump to pick by weekend [By LISA MASCARO, ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE]