Obama Picks Chicago Native For Supreme Court

Merrick Garland
Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, stands with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices. Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press
Merrick Garland
Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, stands with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices. Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press

Obama Picks Chicago Native For Supreme Court

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Chicago native Merrick Garland is the president’s pick to be the next Supreme Court justice.

Garland was born in Chicago, and went to high school at Niles West in Skokie.

When he was 17, Garland volunteered for retired Judge Abner Mikva’s first congressional campaign.

Mikva says they’ve kept in touch ever since.

“He was a brilliant law student at Harvard, he’s been brilliant in everything he’s done. And his opinions are masterpieces,” Mikva said.

Garland ended up succeeding Mikva on the Washington D.C. federal appeals court.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledged not to give Garland a nomination hearing.

Despite the political controversy, Mikva says he believes Garland stands a “reasonable chance” of being confirmed.