Meet the Bush-nominated federal judge who halted Trump's executive order

[DonViejo]

By Avi Selk February 4 at 3:53 PM

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“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump said in a tweet Saturday morning.

But Robart has been called judge for more than a decade. President George W. Bush nominated him to the federal court for Washington state’s western district court in 2004, choosing him from a shortlist of nominees selected by a bipartisan commission.

Although he had held no judgeship before, senators of both parties praised Robart.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced him to the judiciary committee as a man who had fostered six children with his wife. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) went over Robart’s 30 years as a lawyer — up to his work at the time as managing partner at a Seattle law firm. Robart graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1973.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) noted Robart’s “representation of the disadvantaged” — including his work representing “southeast Asian refugees.” Asked about such work at his confirmation hearing, Robart gave a short speech about fairness in the courtroom.

“I was introduced to people who, in many times, felt that the legal system was stacked against them or was unfair,” Robart told the senators. “Working with people who have an immediate need and an immediate problem that you are able to help with is the most satisfying aspect of the practice of law.”

“Well, thank you,” Hatch said. “That is a great answer.”

No one opposed his confirmation.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/02/04/meet-the-bush-appointed-federal-judge-who-halted-trumps-executive-order/?utm_term=.ae063d731607&wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1