Trump focused on Kavanaugh, Kethledge for Supreme Court: source

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

SUPREME COURT JULY 5, 2018 / 11:22 AM / UPDATED 38 MINUTES AGO

Trump focused on Kavanaugh, Kethledge for Supreme Court: source

Jeff Mason, Lawrence Hurley
4 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative federal appeals court judges Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge are the two most serious contenders being considered by President Donald Trump for the U.S. Supreme Court, a source familiar with the process said on Thursday.

Kavanaugh serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Kethledge, of Michigan, serves on the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Both are in their early 50s and potentially could serve decades in the lifetime post on the nine-member court.

The source told Reuters that Amy Coney Barrett of Indiana, a judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was still in contention but that the Republican president had been asking more questions about the other two, who have more extensive judicial records.

Trump, who conducted interviews with seven candidates earlier this week for a spot on the top U.S. judicial body, is expected to announce his decision on Monday. The source said he would not be surprised if Trump firmed up his choice before leaving for a trip to Montana later on Thursday.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-trump/trump-focused-on-kavanaugh-kethledge-for-supreme-court-source-idUSKBN1JV25O

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

1. Both of them would be easier to confirm then Barrett

So its not surprising.

[FBaggins]

5. Why would they be easier to confirm?

They're more experienced, but that also means that there are many more decisions to plum through for issues... while Barrett was just confirmed a few months ago, making it much harder to spin that there's something suddenly unacceptable about her.

The only reason I would think that he wouldn't pick her is that he hopes to replace Ginsburg at some point and he could select Barrett and avoid any issues re: replacing a woman with a white male.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

8. For the reason you stated

Holding her to replace RBG. But also, due to her religious background, she is seen as more of a risk in terms of Roe v Wade which could cause headaches from Collins/Murkowski, as well as headaches for the GOP in general going into the midterms. The more experience that Kavanaugh and Kethledge have, as while as their less public stances on abortion, could give Collins and Murkowski the cover they want to just let the nominations sail through without a holdup.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

2. Kavanaugh wrote that a president cannot be criminally investigated, indicted or tried,

or subpoenaed in a civil suit while he is in office because it may distract him during a national security crisis.

I guess losing your golf ball in the rough constitutes a national security crisis for Donnie Two Scoops.

Since Trump always does what's best for Trump and not for anyone else -- even his supporters, much less the country -- my bet is on Kavanaugh as next SCOTUS justice.

[NewJeffCT]

3. Kavanaugh

is the one that said presidents should not be subjected to legal actions...

[imanamerican63]

4. There is doubt whoever it is, they will give Trump everything....

including the kitchen sinks! The country is in big trouble!

[Orsino]

6. "Focused."

Yeah, right.

[pangaia]

7. "Trump, who conducted interviews ......"