Trump urges Republicans to use ‘nuclear option’ on Gorsuch vote if Democrats block

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would urge Senate Republicans to invoke a rule change to force a simple majority vote on his Supreme Court nominee if Democrats block his choice.

Trump, at a meeting with interest groups who will support his choice of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the high court, was asked whether he would urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use the so-called "nuclear option" to change the rules to make it easier to confirm him.

Trump said if congressional gridlock threatens Gorsuch's nomination he would say, "If you can, Mitch, go nuclear...I would say, it's up to Mitch, but I would say, go for it."

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)