Trump Flips Second Circuit With Controversial Judge

In a vote that will flip the makeup of the New York-based appeals court, the Senate on Thursday confirmed a controversial White House lawyer to a seat on the Second Circuit, reports Courthouse News Service.

The vote means that a majority of the 13 judges on the Second Circuit have been appointed by Republican presidents. Menashi is the fifth judge President Donald Trump has appointed to the court and the fourth this year alone, according to Courthouse News’ Tim Ryan.

Menashi’s dodging of questions during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with his position in the Trump administration and his controversial writings, stirred controversy in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had harsh words for Menashi’s nomination: “My Republican colleagues, in my view, rubber-stamped too many of these extreme, unqualified nominees – nominees, in Mr. Menashi’s case, who are almost craven.”

Read the Courthouse News article.