Trump chooses Colorado conservative Gorsuch as ninth Supreme Court judge

Donald Trump has chosen conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the US Supreme Court, possibly tipping the ideological balance of the powerful body for years to come.

Gorsuch was nominated by Trump on Tuesday to fill the seat left empty by the death of Antonin Scalia in 2016, and faces a confirmation hearing in the Senate in order to approve his appointment.

His nomination will undoubtedly face intense scrutiny from Democrat congressional leaders, with House minority leader Nancy Pelosi referring to Gorsuch as a "very hostile appointment".

The US Supreme Court takes highly significant decisions on landmark cases related to such issues as as abortion, human rights and discrimination.

Republicans in Congress are said to be highly supportive of the nomination, as well as confident that enough Democrats will pass it without major fuss.

"Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills and a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support," President Trump said. "The qualifications of Judge Gorsuch are beyond dispute. He is man of our country and a man who our country really needs."

"I can only hope that both Democrats and Republicans can come together for once for the good of the country," Trump added.

With 11 months left of his presidency, Barack Obama attempted to appoint Merrick Gartland as a replacement for Scalia, but Republicans opposed the nomination as they believed it was unfair to take such a significant decision with such little time left.

Gorsuch's previous decisions have shown a sympathy towards religious exemption from the law and gun rights, as well as decisions in favour of the death penalty.