JCN’s Carrie Severino Applauds Trump’s List of Federal Nominees
Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director Carrie Severino issued the following statement: “Congratulations to President Trump for releasing yet another outstanding list of nominees for the federal courts, fulfilling his campaign promise to appoint brilliant and principled judges. We encourage the Senate to move swiftly to confirm them.”
Justice Gorsuch’s First Year in the Supreme Court
The Alliance for Justice’s Baseless Attack on Wendy Vitter
The far-left Alliance for Justice (AFJ) has attacked district court nominee Wendy Vitter by (1) accusing her of omitting public comments from her Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire; (2) demonizing her for her views on abortion and Syrian refugee resettlement; (3) questioning the depth of her experience; and (4) attempting to tar her with criticism of the district attorney’s office she worked for. Note how scurrilous and hypocritical these attacks are:
Jill Abramson Smears Justice Thomas, Again. Part 1: Jill Abramson
Jill “Ahab” Abramson is at it again. Her obsessive quest to try and destroy Clarence Thomas (and pull her career out of free fall) has resulted in another 4200 words of warmed-over, long-ago debunked, and perjurious allegations.
Jill Abramson Smears Justice Thomas, Again. Part 2: Anita Hill
Since Jill Abramson (and others) seem to have forgotten the many reasons Americans overwhelmingly believed Clarence Thomas over Anita Hill after watching the hearings themselves, here is a summary of some of the biggest holes in her story:
The FBI Deemed Anita Hill Not Credible
— Two FBI agents interviewed Anita Hill with respect to her charges prior to her committee testimony, asking her to provide the specifics of all incidents. But her testimony to the committee added new lurid headline-grabbing charges not in her FBI testimony or a similar pre-testimony affidavit. One agent said her new testimony included “comments that were in contradiction with” her earlier statement.
Moira Smith’s Allegations Against Justice Thomas Debunked
“I was stunned to read in the news that a woman had accused Justice Clarence Thomas of groping her at a dinner party that I attended in 1999 and remember very well. It remains in my memory because the dinner party was held the night before the awarding of the first annual Stevens Award in memory of my late husband who died in December of 1998. . . . When I read the news item, my first thought was – “that couldn’t have happened.” Justice Thomas was never alone – he was guest of honor. In addition to that, the house was not large – the dining area was at one end of the living room, not a separate room, and the dining room table was in full view through the kitchen door where Louis Blair and his assistant were cooking. It was a wonderful, happy evening, apparently enjoyed by all.” — Statement of Norma Stevens, 10/28/16
Angela Wright Backgrounder
Facts about Angela Wright submitted into the Congressional Record by Sen. Alan Simpson – October 15, 1991.
This document provides a look at Angela Wright that casts doubt on her credibility as a witness. It includes details of her checkered employment history and her use of a homophobic slur. It also includes excerpts from FBI interviews with Wright’s former supervisor, Kate Semerad, who described Wright as “vengeful, angry and immature,” and Wright’s friend Thelma Duggin, who described her as “a little shaky on the integrity side.” Duggin also noted that as late as the summer of 1991 (after Thomas had been nominated) Wright still wanted to “get him back” for firing her.
Former Clerks Support Justice Thomas
Helgi Walker, 1995 Term
“In the twenty-six-plus years since he was confirmed, Justice Thomas has been doing tremendous service for the law and for our nation. There’s a quote from ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ that always makes me think of him: Justice Thomas has ‘plain, decent, every day, common rightness. And this country could use some of that.’ As in the movie, there will always be people who try to tear down those who lift up new ideas that challenge the prevailing orthodoxy, but to the legions of us who know and love him it’s just background noise.”
Brock on Maddox and Cooke
After Jill Abramson and Jane Meyer published their book about Justice Thomas, “Strange Justice,” David Brock wrote a lengthy and detailed rebuttal of the book. Here is how he summarized his findings, which could also be used to summarize this latest piece by Abramson:
Mayer and Abramson have made these accusations on the basis of accounts from sources who tell me they were either flatly misquoted or misrepresented, or refused to confirm information attributed to them. The list of these people who say they were misquoted includes the only woman whose allegations against Thomas have not been previously reported–and refuted–in prior books or articles. In addition to relying on fake evidence, doctored quotes, and unsupported hearsay, the book is brimming with anonymous and discreditable sources. Key figures were never interviewed. Where evidence does not fit the authors’ point, it is ignored entirely. And a whole array of alleged facts–small and large–are simply wrong.
Backgrounder: Hardness & Jourdain
Much has been made recently of the statements by Sukari Hardnett and Rose Jourdain, which were entered into the congressional record in lieu of live testimony. Some have suggested that live testimony from these two women would have significantly bolstered Hill’s allegations. Nothing could be further from the truth. Neither Hardnett nor Jourdain could have offered any testimony about Hill specifically, and their statements about Thomas’ behavior in the office was flatly contradicted by numerous colleagues who had not, as these two had, left the agency under unfavorable circumstances.
JCN’s Carrie Severino Congratulates Michael Brennan on His Circuit Court Nomination
“Michael Brennan, President Trump’s latest nominee to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, is well-qualified and brings with him a robust background of experience as both a lawyer in private practice and a judge in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Brennan is yet another example of President Trump’s commitment to nominating judges who will respect the Constitution and apply the law fairly. I look forward to a Senate confirmation hearing for him soon.”
Background on Michael Brennan:
JCN’s Carrie Severino on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
“President Trump promised to nominate highly qualified judges who will follow the law, and he has delivered on that promise. No president has done more in his first year. The Administration’s ongoing success in this area is a testament to the hard work and unwavering leadership of President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley.”
JCN’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino Congratulates Justice David Stras
“Congratulations to Justice David Stras on his confirmation to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals. Justice Stras is experienced, highly regarded in both Minnesota and across the country, and will apply the law fairly. President Trump has done an excellent job of selecting exceptional judicial nominees to the federal bench, and this is just another example of the President’s success. I look forward to more judicial confirmations from the Senate soon.”
Background on JCN’s support for Justice Stras –
Ad Attacking Senator Al Franken’s Refusal to Return Blue Slip for Justice David Stras
National Review Bench Memos –
Severino: ‘I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee’ for sending Duncan, Stras judicial nominations to Senate floor
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for voting two of President Trump’s exceptional judicial nominees out of committee today: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Kyle Duncan and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Justice David Stras. Both Duncan and Stras are brilliant and will apply the law fairly. I’m looking forward to a swift confirmation by the Senate of these excellent judicial nominees in the coming days.”
The Judicial Crisis Network Launches Six-Figure Ad Thanking Senator Grassley
WASHINGTON – The Judicial Crisis Network is launching a ten day, six-figure digital and television ad campaign that will air on cable network shows in Des Moines, Iowa thanking Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for his role in confirming President Trump’s exceptional judicial nominees. The ad praises Senator Grassley for his “independence and hard work” that have seen a record number of circuit court judicial confirmations. JCN is running similar ads thanking President Trump and Senator McConnell, respectively, for their roles in appointing and confirming exceedingly well-qualified judicial nominees.
JCN Launches Ad Campaign Thanking President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Coalitions Show Support for Judicial Nominees Steven Grasz, James Ho and Don Willett Confirmations
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“I commend the Senate for confirming three of President Trump’s exceedingly well-qualified judicial nominees: Steven Grasz to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Nebraska, and James Ho and Don Willett to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas. They will uphold the Constitution and fairly apply the law. As the President continues to nominate exceptional individuals to the federal bench, I look forward to the Senate quickly confirming them to fill the many remaining judicial vacancies so they can serve the public for years to come.”
Statement from President of Susan B. Anthony List, Marjorie Dannenfelser:
“Today’s confirmation of Steve Grasz to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals is just the latest example of President Trump and Leader McConnell hitting home runs on judges,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “We thank President Trump for such strong, well-qualified judicial nominees and thank Leader McConnell for standing up to pro-abortion Democratic obstructionism and getting them confirmed. With a long record of distinguished service to Nebraska that has earned him praise across the political spectrum, Steve Grasz will no doubt be a fine appellate court judge who will rule with respect for the constitutional rights of all Americans.”
Statement from President of Students for Life, Kristan Hawkins:
“Students for Life praises the Senate for confirming qualified people to the bench and for rejecting the career-crushing labels that the American Bar Association tried to attach to people based on their pro-life beliefs. The ABA’s attempt to blackball Steve Grasz in particular sent a clear warning to Students for Life’s legal students that their futures were at risk from the prejudice of abortion advocates.”
Statement from CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, Penny Nance:
“I want to commend President Donald J. Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on their leadership and commitment to constitutional principles as they continue their excellent work on the confirmation of judicial nominees. I hear it everywhere I go. The excitement is palpable. President Trump has delivered on this issue, which was one of the primary reasons they voted for him. And Majority Leader McConnell’s commitment has not gone unnoticed. His steady handling of nominees, even when faced with fierce Democrat opposition, has been stellar. Judge Steven Grasz is just the latest example. Here is a nominee with excellent credentials, impeccable character, and professional reputation, and a commitment to the proper constitutional role of a judge. We are thrilled with his confirmation and commit to lifting him and his family in prayer as he undertakes this new public service challenge.”
Statement from Co-Chair of Republican National Lawyers Association, Joanne Young:
“Democrats, aided by their liberal allies at the ABA, tried to play politics with the nomination of Steve Grasz to the Eighth Circuit. But thanks to the leadership of Chairman Grassley and Leader McConnell, the efforts to smear and misrepresent another excellent nominee have not been successful. Steve Grasz has a distinguished career of public service and private practice, and he will continue to uphold the rule of law now that he has been confirmed to the Eighth Circuit.”
JCN’s Carrie Severino on SCOTUS’ Masterpiece Cakeshop Oral Arguments
“Supporters of religious freedom should be encouraged after today’s arguments. As Justice Kennedy himself pointed out, tolerance is essential in a civil society, but that tolerance must be mutual. His passion was evident when he pointed out how intolerant the state of Colorado had been of baker Jack Phillips’ beliefs. I hope the Supreme Court will continue to stand by our founding commitment to religious freedom and freedom of speech that celebrates diversity rather than allowing the government to compel agreement with its favored point of view.”
Carrie Severino: Masterpiece case ‘at its core’ is about compelled speech
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is fundamentally about the First Amendment and whether the government can force an artist to promote a message he disagrees with.
“This is not about a generic cake someone picks up at Costco. After all, Jack Phillips was willing to sell an off-the-shelf cake to the couple. But the government wanted to unconstitutionally force him to design a custom wedding cake that would promote a message in direct conflict with his conscience and deeply held religious beliefs, even when there were plenty of other businesses with no such conflict who were happy to bake that cake. The left will try to frame this case as an LBGTQ case but, at its core, it’s about whether or not the government can force or compel an American citizen – protected by the First Amendment – to violate their religious convictions and their right to free speech.”
Background: Carrie Severino is a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Sen. Kennedy says he’ll vote to confirm judicial nominee Kyle Duncan
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) announced last night that he will vote in favor of Kyle Duncan, President Trump’s nominee for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, when Duncan’s nomination comes to the Senate floor for a vote. Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel Carrie Severino thanked Sen. Kennedy for his support.
Lots of agreement in thanking Sen. Kennedy including from Erick Erickson, Heritage’s Rob Bluey, Ed Meese, SBA List, Tea Party Patriots and Jenny Beth Martin, American Commitment’s Phil Kerpen, Let Freedom Ring’s Colin Hanna, and Heritage Action’s Dan Holler.
Louisiana AG Landry also tweeted thanking Sen. Kennedy: https://twitter.com/AGJeffLandry/status/936402878905962496
Louisiana Judicial Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10155889378001119&id=115528516118
Family Research Council: https://twitter.com/FRCdc/status/936642863231881216
FRC’s Tony Perkins: https://twitter.com/tperkins/status/936632232617369600
Heritage’s John Malcolm: https://twitter.com/malcolm_john/status/936426082252795905
TPP’s Jenny Beth Martin: https://twitter.com/jennybethm/status/936643374844702720
Ken Blackwell: https://twitter.com/kenblackwell/status/936690693086633985
National Right to Life http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101796400807&ca=41026bd1-6ead-447f-90bf-bf1dbf31e99f
Background:
- Kyle Duncan has earned widespread praise in Louisiana and nationally
- NRO Bench Memos: Who Is Kyle Duncan?, In Strong Support of Kyle Duncan
- JCN’s support for Duncan: Six-figure ad
- ABC poll: “Nationally, 21 percent of voters call appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court “the most important factor” in their decision, preliminary exit polls indicate. These voters overwhelmingly favor Trump, 57 to 40 percent.”
- 2016 Louisiana Election Results: Trump 58.1% over Clinton 38.4%
Judicial Nominee Kyle Duncan Receives Widespread Praise
- Louisiana AG Landry wrote this op-ed today praising Kyle Duncan: Trump court pick Kyle Duncan is the Neil Gorsuch of Louisiana
- 20+ Louisiana state senators and reps sent U.S. Sen Kennedy the attached letter urging him to support Duncan.
- Louisiana AG Landry will be on FRC’s Tony Perkins’ radio show this evening talking about Duncan. Note: Perkins is a pastor in Louisiana and is well-regarded there
We were told, and we don’t believe it, that Duncan is supposedly “not Louisiana enough” to satisfy the Senator. That can’t be right – Duncan is from Baton Rouge and he bleeds purple and gold. How is he not Louisiana enough? What, is he supposed to be crooked and that would make him Louisiana enough? Not to mention this is a nomination for the Fifth Circuit which includes states other than Louisiana (Texas and Mississippi, specifically). “Louisiana enough” is not a meaningful requirement for that job.
This is worth watching, even though it has to be a tempest in a teapot. Has to be. If it isn’t then there will be lots of people questioning whether Kennedy is a conservative after all.
- Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“President Trump continues to nominate exceptionally well-qualified candidates to the courts. Throughout his legal career, Kyle Duncan has been a champion in defending the Constitution and adhering to the law. His career has been a showcase for the types of judges the people of Louisiana and across the country voted for when they voted overwhelmingly for President Trump on the judges issue.
“It is widely acknowledged that Trump’s nominees are extraordinary, and Duncan, in particular, has received widespread support from national conservative leaders and elected officials as well as from basically everyone in Louisiana except Senator Kennedy. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today called Duncan ‘the Neil Gorsuch of Louisiana.’ The people of Louisiana are waiting to find out if Senator Kennedy stands with them and President Trump or liberal special interest groups in Washington.”
- Lots of leaders in the conservative movement are coming out in support of Duncan including Tea Party Patriots, Concerned Women for America, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Family Research Council and Tony Perkins, SBA List, Laura Ingraham, The Catholic Association, Elizabeth Slattery (of Heritage Foundation), Ken Blackwell, Americans United for Life, TX AG Ken Paxton, The Catholic Association
- Americans for Limited Government,
- State Solicitors General Support for Duncan
- Louisiana Legal Practitioners Support Nomination of S. Kyle Duncan
- Louisiana Business Support for Nominations of Kyle S. Duncan and Judge Kurt D. Englehardt
- The court issue in general is very potent, esp. in Louisiana:
Exit polling from the 2016 presidential race showed nationally, 21 percent of voters call appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court “the most important factor” in their decision, preliminary exit polls indicate. (Though President Obama did put forth a nominee, the Supreme Court seat vacated when Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in February, remains open.) These voters overwhelmingly favor Trump, 57 to 40 percent.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/election-2016-national-exit-poll-results-analysis/story?id=43368675
Louisiana voters went overwhelmingly from Trump over Hillary Clinton, a 20 point margin: 58%-38%
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/louisiana-president-clinton-trump
Carrie Severino: Trump judicial nominee Kyle Duncan ‘has been a champion in defending the Constitution’
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“President Trump continues to nominate exceptionally well-qualified candidates to the courts. Throughout his legal career, Kyle Duncan has been a champion in defending the Constitution and adhering to the law. His career has been a showcase for the types of judges the people of Louisiana and across the country voted for when they voted overwhelmingly for President Trump on the judges issue.
“It is widely acknowledged that Trump’s nominees are extraordinary, and Duncan, in particular, has received widespread support from national conservative leaders and elected officials as well as from basically everyone in Louisiana except Senator Kennedy. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today called Duncan ‘the Neil Gorsuch of Louisiana.’ The people of Louisiana are waiting to find out if Senator Kennedy stands with them and President Trump or liberal special interest groups in Washington.”
Background:
2016 Louisiana Election Results: Trump 58.1% over Clinton 38.4%
JCN’s support for Duncan:
NRO Bench Memos:
In Strong Support of Kyle Duncan
JCN’s Carrie Severino on President Trump’s Potential SCOTUS Nominee List
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino on President Trump’s Potential Supreme Court Nominee List :
“Today President Trump has updated his list of potential Supreme Court nominees to add some of the best and brightest judges in the nation.”
“These men and women have spent years in the trenches of state and federal government fighting for the Constitution and the rule of law. They represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including both state and federal judges, three who were former state solicitors general with first-hand experience protecting our constitutional balance of powers.”
Statements of Support:
Judicial Crisis Network Launches Ad in Support of Louisiana Fifth Circuit Nominee Kyle Duncan
A Louisiana native with Louisiana values, who will make Louisiana proud
WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, Judicial Crisis Network is launching a six-figure TV, radio, and digital ad in support of Kyle Duncan, judicial nominee for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. The ad will run for two weeks. In the ad, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry praises Duncan as another one of President Trump’s stellar judicial nominees. The Judicial Crisis Network has run ads in support of other judicial nominees including the recently confirmed Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Joan Larsen.
Statement from Judicial Crisis Network’s Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Carrie Severino:
“In Kyle Duncan, President Trump selected one of the best lawyers of his generation. He’s a Louisiana native who has served his state with distinction as its solicitor general, and he will make Louisiana proud as a federal judge. Kyle’s brilliance combined with his humility and integrity will serve him well on the Fifth Circuit. I’m proud to call Kyle a friend, and I look forward to a speedy confirmation.”
Script of the ad:
Kyle Duncan Script
National Review Bench Memos on Kyle Duncan:
In Strong Support of Kyle Duncan
