Trump just got the chance to pick another judge for the influential appeals court in D.C.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

Legal Issues

Trump just got the chance to pick another judge for the influential appeals court in D.C.

By Ann E. Marimow
March 5, 2020 at 12:56 p.m. EST

The surprising retirement announcement Thursday of a judge on the influential appeals court in Washington gives President Trump another opportunity to make his mark on the federal judiciary.

Judge Thomas B. Griffith told court officials he plans to retire in September just two months before the 2020 presidential election. The announcement clears the way for Trump to add a third judge to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which has been a pipeline for nominees to the Supreme Court.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and the Trump administration have already pushed through a record number of appeals court judges, and McConnell has signaled that will continue.

“They will do whatever they can to fill it,” said Russell Wheeler of the Brookings Institution, who tracks judicial nominations. “I suspect they will be confirming judges even after Election Day.”

{snip}

Griffith was one of the featured speakers at an event last month celebrating Garland’s tenure as chief judge. Griffith spoke soon after President Trump criticized the judge presiding over the trial in D.C. of the president’s friend, Roger Stone, ahead of his sentencing.

Griffith praised Garland and alluded generally to the political pressures on the courts.

“As it turns out,” he said, “the rule of law is a fragile possibility that needs protection from partisans and demagogues.”

Ann Marimow
Ann Marimow covers legal affairs for The Washington Post. She joined The Post in 2005 and has covered state government and politics in California, New Hampshire and Maryland. Follow https://twitter.com/amarimow

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/trump-just-got-the-chance-to-pick-another-judge-for-the-influential-appeals-court-in-dc/2020/03/05/3d874e38-5ef6-11ea-b29b-9db42f7803a7_story.html

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Robert Barnes Retweeted

https://twitter.com/scotusreporter

President Trump just got the chance to pick another judge for the influential appeals court in Washington

Link to tweet

[OneCrazyDiamond]

1. I think Trump appointing you

Should be grounds for impeachment.

[Polybius]

2. W Bush judge

Is he purposely retiring by September in case Trump loses?

[cstanleytech]

3. I wonder if there was a "Retire now and we will get you a cushy $$$$ job" backroom deal?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Wonder if he was levered out, like Kennedy was, via his bank loaner son, loans to tRump. . . . nt

[lastlib]

5. Well, the American people should have a voice in his replacement.

There should be no confirmation until after the next election.

Right, MoscowMitch?

[scarletwoman]

6. I'm wondering if Judge Griffith is being coerced/blackmailed/forced in some way to retire early?

Someone who praised Merrick Garland, and says this: “the rule of law is a fragile possibility that needs protection from partisans and demagogues.” doesn't sound like a committed Trumpster.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. He turns 66 in July, but I'm pretty sure he can pick up a job if he wants one.

Thomas B. Griffith

[Igel]

8. Could just assume senior status. n/t

[stuffmatters]

9. If judge really does defend our "rule of law", he can wait 3 months to retire..

Unless it's a dire health problem, he's as corrupt as the rest of them.