Trump has made a lasting impact on the federal judicial system through his many appointments. McConnell blocked Obama from making appointments which created vacancies for Trump. Some of Trump’s appointments are unqualified but he doesn’t care. I don’t think Trump, who is clearly a criminal (based on payments to women, his foundation, Trump U, emoluments in addition to the Russia/Ukraine stuff), should be appointing judges.
McConnell confirmed as many circuit court judges this week as he did the entire last two years of Obama’s presidency.
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) December 13, 2019
It’s no accident that Trump inherited so many vacancies. All part of their plan to stack the courts with lifetime judges who’ll roll back our rights for decades. https://t.co/Xg6DTDpzsb
This is as cynical and ugly as it gets. McConnell openly and giddily admits that he embarked on what he calls "the judges project" — deigned to keep federal judgeships vacant under the Democratic president and hold the #stolenseats so they could ONLY be filled by a Republican. https://t.co/2vvqmunPBm
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) December 13, 2019
The American Bar Association warned that VanDyke was too lazy to be a judge. The ABA's assessment was corroborated internal emails at VanDyke's workplace.
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) December 11, 2019
Rather than saying to Trump "can you send us someone who wants to work?" GOP senators attacked the ABA. https://t.co/3e4rIZHak5
APPALLING: Senate Republicans just confirmed Lawrence VanDyke to the 9th Circuit – Trump’s 50th circuit court judge. Yes, FIFTY.
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) December 11, 2019
VanDyke has a TERRIBLE civil rights record and was rated Not Qualified by the ABA. Now he has a lifetime seat on a federal appeals court.
Wow.
Devastating piece. Hard to fathom.https://t.co/m1P45LWiHc
— The Mr Sir Luke (@mrlukealexander) December 9, 2019
Trump is getting plenty of Democratic help in confirming these judges — the latest five were confirmed 76-13, 68-21, 88-4, 89-4, 64-29. https://t.co/dw7nchFL5p
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 6, 2019
It's like they're racing to place as many far-right wing judges as possible before impeachment lands in the Senate's lap. Never forget the real priority for the GOP: controlling the courts for a generation, so that the demographic & ideological change that's coming won't matter. https://t.co/jUZh2d9MGQ
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) December 5, 2019
The Senate confirmed EIGHT new federal judges this week, bringing Donald Trump's total to 170.
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 5, 2019
—120 on district courts
—48 on circuit courts
—2 on Supreme Court
Nearly all are in their 40s or 50s with lifetime appointments and positioned to shape American law for generations.
Senate Republicans are about to confirm Sarah Pitlyk to a district court in Missouri. She was rated not qualified and has a highly controversial record on reproductive rights. She should not have a lifetime seat on the federal bench. I'll vote against her nomination. #StopPitlyk https://t.co/RwPVN9k02q
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) December 4, 2019
Stunning: Sen. @ChrisCoons asked 11th Circuit pick Brasher for ONE example of a discriminatory voting restriction instituted after SCOTUS gutted the VRA. He said “I have not researched that issue. I have not researched the issue of voting law changes after Shelby County.”
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) December 4, 2019
What?!
Today the Senate will vote on the nomination of Sarah Pitlyk to serve in a lifetime judgeship. Pitlyk once claimed that fertility treatments and surrogacy have “grave effects on society” and “disrespect motherhood”. She is unfit to serve. The Senate should reject her nomination.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) December 4, 2019
This video is terrifying for many reasons. There's also this: McConnell’s tweet celebrating Trump’s circuit court picks ignores that – nearly 3 years in – Trump STILL hasn’t named a single Black circuit court nominee.
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) November 25, 2019
Trump-McConnell whitewashing of federal bench is outrageous. https://t.co/0JnxlcP9Nc
It's all about enduring minority rule. @ejdionne puts the pieces together and explains exactly what's at stake. https://t.co/hfC17C5NA1
— David Daley (@davedaley3) November 25, 2019
Sad! 