The family (front) of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia take their seats as Supreme Court Justices (rear) stand for a private ceremony in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court. (AFP Photo)
Thousands of mourners were paying their respects today to Justice Antonin Scalia as his casket rested in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, where he spent nearly three decades as one of its most influential members.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama planned to pay their respects at the court.
The sudden death of the outspoken, conservative justice complicated an already tumultuous election year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says a replacement should not be named until the next president takes office. Obama pledged to pick a replacement "in due time" and challenged Republicans to hold a vote on his nominee.
Law clerks, past and present line the steps as the casket of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia is carried by US Supreme Court police officers, up the steps of the Supreme Court. (AFP Photo)
Scalia was found dead on Saturday. He was 79.