President Barack Obama praised the Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay marriage nationwide, calling it a "big step" toward equality.

Obama tweeted from his official account:

Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins

- President Obama (@POTUS) June 26, 2015

According to the White House, Obama will deliver a statement on the ruling later at 11 a.m. ET.

In a 5-4 decision handed down Friday, the court ruled it is legal for all Americans to marry regardless of their sexual orientation. The historic ruling, which comes as public support for recognizing same-sex unions is at a record high, says that under the Fourteenth Amendment, states must issue marriage licenses to gay couples and recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Obama, who has publicly supported gay marriage since 2012, said earlier this year he hoped the Supreme Court would legalize same-sex union.

"It's time to recognize that under the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution, same-sex couples should have the same rights as anybody else," he said in February.