Trump doesn't intend to read Supreme Court pick's academic writing but wants to know it exists: report

As President TrumpDonald John TrumpMcConnell to meet with Trump's Supreme Court pick Tuesday Kavanaugh offers lengthy judicial record ahead of bitter confirmation fight Hundreds protest Kavanaugh's nomination outside Supreme Court MORE searches for his nominee to the Supreme Court, he has told advisers he is looking for someone with a demonstrable history of academic writing — though he doesn't intend to read the writing himself, according to a Washington Post report. 

Trump is searching for a nominee that is highly qualified, “not weak” and who will interpret the Constitution according to its original authors, an adviser to the president told the Post.

Trump is looking for a replacement for Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his July 31 retirement earlier this week. Though he originally said he will select his nominee from a list of 25 candidates released in November, Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsDems strategy on Trump pick: Unify around health care GOP rallies around Kavanaugh as Supreme Court pick Schumer: Senate should reject Kavanaugh's nomination MORE (R-Maine) said on Sunday he has added five new candidates to this list.

Trump said he will make his announcement on July 9.

“We have to pick a great one,” Trump said on Wednesday. “We have to pick one that’s going to be there for 40 years, 45 years. We need intellect. We need so many things to go. You know, there’s so many elements go into the making of a great justice of the Supreme Court. You’ve got to hit every one of them.”

This would be Trump’s second nomination to the bench. He nominated Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court last year.