US President Donald Trump has had his pick for the Supreme Court sworn in.
US President Donald Trump watches as Justice Anthony Kennedy, right, administers the oath of office to Neil Gorsuch. Photo: AFP
Mr Trump said Neil Gorsuch would be "truly great", as the Colorado judge took the oath.
"And I got it done in the first 100 days," Mr Trump quipped at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. "You think that's easy?"
Mr Gorsuch, who was sworn in by Justice Anthony Kennedy, becomes the 113th justice to serve on the high court.
"I am humbled by the trust placed in me today," he said after taking the oath.
"I will never forget that to whom much is given, much will be expected," the 49-year-old said.
"And I promise you to do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the constitution and laws of this great nation."
Mr Gorsuch's appointment comes after a year-long political battle over filling the vacant seat.
Republican lawmakers refused to consider Barack Obama's nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative, who died in February last year.
It was the longest period a seat has remained unfilled on the Supreme Court since the American Civil War in 1862.
Mr Gorsuch, a former Denver appeals judge, was confirmed 54-45 on Friday after Senate Republicans took the historic step of changing the chamber's rules in order to ram through their pick.
On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell triggered a legislative manoeuvre known as the "nuclear option" when Republicans lacked the 60 votes required to end debate on Mr Gorsuch.
This removed the ability for nominees to the Supreme Court to be filibustered.
The result is a win for Mr Trump, and for those who voted for him, many who saw securing a conservative judge on America's highest court as a top priority.
-BBC
