AFJ Statements on Thapar Confirmation, Fourth Circuit Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 25, 2017 – Today, Alliance for Justice released the following statements:
On Amul Thapar’s confirmation to the Sixth Circuit
In response to today’s party-line vote confirming Auml Thapar, President Trump’s first lower court nominee, to the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:
“Given President Trump’s repeated attacks on our courts and Constitution, it is disappointing that Senate Republicans jammed through on a party-line vote the President’s nominee to the Sixth Circuit, a nominee with a troubling record with respect to protecting critical rights and legal protections and standing up for our democracy. We applaud Senate Democrats for standing firm against his nomination. All Senate Democrats made clear today that they will carefully scrutinize all of President Trump’s nominees and stand on the side of our Constitution and an independent judiciary.”
On the Fourth Circuit’s “travel ban” ruling
In response to today’s 10-3 ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld an injunction on President Trump’s “travel ban,” noting that the Executive Order “text speaks with vague words about national security but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination,” Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:
“Today’s action by the Fourth Circuit once again calls into focus the importance of an independent judiciary. Courts have repeatedly made clear the President’s actions in attempting to block people from entering this nation on the basis of religion were unconstitutional. As President Trump continues to nominate individuals with troubling views on free speech, civil liberties, and executive power to seats on our federal bench, we must carefully examine these nominees’ records and take every step to preserve the independence of our judiciary and commitment to our Constitution that was demonstrated today.”