HIGHLIGHTS-The Trump presidency on Feb 1 at 10:45 a.m. EST/1545 GMT

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Highlights of the day for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday:

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE

Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch is known for questioning how far courts should go in deferring to federal agencies on interpreting the law, a view that could be important for U.S. companies and Trump. Gorsuch is a conservative intellectual known for backing religious rights and seen as very much in the mold of Antonin Scalia, the late justice he was chosen to replace. CABINET

After a rule change to thwart opposition Democrats, a Senate committee confirms Representative Tom Price to head the Department of Health and Human Services and banker Steven Mnuchin to be treasury secretary. TRAVEL BAN

Less than one-third of Americans believe Trump's travel ban makes them more safe, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. U.N. human rights experts say Trump's travel ban on nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries contravenes international law and could mean people who are denied asylum are sent home to face torture. The Vatican says it is worried about Trump's moves on immigration, in the Holy See's first comment since his executive order on travel. The United Arab Emirates' foreign minister says the travel ban is an internal affair not directed at any faith, a more measured reaction than others from the region. STATE DEPARTMENT

Rex Tillerson, expected to be confirmed as secretary of state on Wednesday, saw his job became harder before it even began because of administration moves that have antagonized Muslim nations, European allies, Mexico and U.S. bureaucrats, sources say. DISSENT

A memo signed by 900 State Department employees objecting to Trump's immigration plan is just one example of resistance spreading through the federal bureaucracy. EUROPE

Britain's closest European Union allies are galled by Prime Minister Theresa May's embrace of Trump and fear London is tilting too heavily towards the new U.S. administration ahead of Brexit. SECURITY

Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to underscore U.S. security commitments to South Korea and Japan on his debut trip to Asia this week as concerns mount over North Korea's missile program and tensions with China. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia may increase its oil investments in the United States due to a more fossil fuel-oriented energy policy by the Trump administration. Japanese policymakers are hitting back at Trump's accusation of currency manipulation, stressing that Japan was abiding by a Group of 20 agreement to refrain from competitive currency devaluation. (Compiled by Bill Trott; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Chizu Nomiyama)