President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, to announce his nomination to the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, to announce his nomination to the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump pegged Neil Gorsuch as his U.S. Supreme Court nominee during a primetime appearance Tuesday night. The announcement came after weeks of public speculation and political posturing regarding the prospective nominee and comes amid a flurry of controversial executive orders that are already facing legal challenges.