Obama press secretary pranks reporters

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs pulled a prank on reporters Friday, saying President Obama would name a new Supreme Court justice early Saturday.

Gibbs's mischievous bogus bombshell drew chuckles from the White House press corps that would have had to get up early on a Memorial Day weekend to cover the alleged 6:30 a.m. announcement. He quickly followed with a "Gotcha!"

"That's obviously a joke, but I did love to see that -- if somebody can quickly text me the name of a chiropractor because at least four dozen necks snapped in one direction," Gibbs said, drawing more laughter.

Obama, who is sorting through candidates to replace the retiring Justice David Souter, will head to Camp David Saturday morning, returning to the White House Monday morning.

The press secretary said he didn't know if Obama would be interviewing any Supreme Court candidates from the presidential retreat during the holiday weekend.

"I don't doubt that he'll take some reading along with him, and work on his selection," Gibbs said.

The president will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, Va., then go back to Camp David before returning to the White House Monday night, Gibbs said.

The president will spend Tuesday in meetings in the White House and then head to Las Vegas Wednesday for an event on the economy before attending a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Los Angeles that evening, Gibbs said.

He will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House Thursday afternoon, then wrap up the work week with meetings at the White House, Gibbs said.