An onslaught of outrage from Democratic senators and activists, coupled with surprising pushback from Republican Sen. Rand Paul, derailed the nomination of anti-abortion conservative Chad Meredith to a federal district court in Kentucky. The appointment, which reportedly emerged from an odd deal with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, seemed particularly bizarre in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
McConnell and the GOP have long recognized the strategic value of appointing staunch conservatives to lifetime positions on the federal bench. Are Democrats finally committed to playing the judiciary game?
Forrest Maltzman, a professor of political science at GW, is an expert on judicial politics. He can comment on the Meredith nomination saga and delve deeper into the battles over federal judgeship appointments, from district courts all the way to the Supreme Court.
To schedule an interview with Professor Maltzman, please contact GW Media Relations at [email protected].