Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump on Monday, July 9.
In pictures: Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump on Monday, July 9.
Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE

Updated 10:40 PM EDT, Mon July 9, 2018

The pick is in.

Brett Kavanaugh is President Trump's choice to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Kavanaugh, 53, once clerked for Kennedy. Since May 2006, he has sat on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He served in the George W. Bush administration and also worked for Kenneth Starr during the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.

"Throughout legal circles, he is considered a judge's judge, a true thought leader among his peers," Trump said Monday night as he introduced Kavanaugh at the White House. "He's a brilliant jurist with a clear and effective writing style universally regarded as one of the finest and sharpest legal minds of our time."

See more photos of the new Supreme Court nominee:

Kavanaugh stands by his wife, Ashley, and their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, as Trump introduces him at the White House.
Kavanaugh stands by his wife, Ashley, and their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, as Trump introduces him at the White House.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Kavanaugh is President Trump's second nominee for the Supreme Court. His first nominee, Neil Gorsuch, was confirmed last year to replace Antonin Scalia.
Kavanaugh is President Trump's second nominee for the Supreme Court. His first nominee, Neil Gorsuch, was confirmed last year to replace Antonin Scalia.
Doug Mills/New York Times/Redux
Kavanaugh is joined by his wife and US President George W. Bush as Justice Anthony Kennedy swears him in to be a federal judge in June 2006. Kavanaugh once clerked for Kennedy and now could be the judge to replace him on the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh is joined by his wife and US President George W. Bush as Justice Anthony Kennedy swears him in to be a federal judge in June 2006. Kavanaugh once clerked for Kennedy and now could be the judge to replace him on the Supreme Court.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Kavanaugh is flanked by US Sens. Mitch McConnell, left, and Bill Frist during a news conference in Washington in May 2006. Kavanaugh had been nominated by Bush in 2003, but it took nearly three years until he was confirmed by a Senate vote of 57-36.
Kavanaugh is flanked by US Sens. Mitch McConnell, left, and Bill Frist during a news conference in Washington in May 2006. Kavanaugh had been nominated by Bush in 2003, but it took nearly three years until he was confirmed by a Senate vote of 57-36.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Kavanaugh testifies during his confirmation hearing in 2006.
Kavanaugh testifies during his confirmation hearing in 2006.
Chris Maddaloni/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
Kavanaugh is joined by family members during Capitol Hill proceedings in 2006. From left are his father, Ed Kavanaugh; his mother, Martha; his wife, Ashley; and his daughter Margaret.
Kavanaugh is joined by family members during Capitol Hill proceedings in 2006. From left are his father, Ed Kavanaugh; his mother, Martha; his wife, Ashley; and his daughter Margaret.
Andrew Councill/The New York Times/Redux
Senators listen to Kavanaugh's testimony during his confirmation hearing in 2006.
Senators listen to Kavanaugh's testimony during his confirmation hearing in 2006.
Scott J. Ferrell/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
Kavanaugh appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April 2004.
Kavanaugh appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April 2004.
Dennis Cook/AP
Kavanaugh stands behind National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as President George W. Bush, right, reviews his State of the Union speech in January 2004.
Kavanaugh stands behind National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as President George W. Bush, right, reviews his State of the Union speech in January 2004.
Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images
Kavanaugh sits behind Kenneth Starr as Starr testifies before a House committee in November 1998. Kavanaugh worked on Starr's investigation of President Bill Clinton.
Kavanaugh sits behind Kenneth Starr as Starr testifies before a House committee in November 1998. Kavanaugh worked on Starr's investigation of President Bill Clinton.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
From left, Deputy Independent Counsel John Bates, Starr and Kavanaugh meet in the Office of the Solicitor General during the Whitewater investigation in November 1996.
From left, Deputy Independent Counsel John Bates, Starr and Kavanaugh meet in the Office of the Solicitor General during the Whitewater investigation in November 1996.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images