Some legal analysts assume that if judges are not beholden to the president who appointed them, they are free from improper obligations. The three-judge 11th Circuit panel ruling in favor of the Department of Justice and against Donald Trump is proof of that pudding. Trump appointed two of the three judges on that panel.
But the judges Trump and other Republican presidents appointed over the last 20 years do not owe their appointments only to the president. With few exceptions, appointment to the federal bench by Republican presidents requires approval by the Federalist Society. Often these judges must have shown their loyalty to the principles of The Federalist Society. The Federalist Society is a multi-function organization of law students and lawyers who espouse and debate conservative legal principles. In addition, The Federalist Society is a “vehicle for powerful interests … to acquire control of the judiciary to benefit their interests.”
Koch Industries, other Koch-network foundations, Donors Trust, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and other right-wing groups fund The Federalist Society. The aims of The Federalist Society can be inferred from the other groups these right-wing billionaires are financing. For example, these billionaires would like to eliminate most public schools and functions of the federal government, like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, Social Security, and Medicare. There is no indication that these billionaires want classified documents strewn around to potential enemies of the United States.
Although one Trump-appointed District judge did not seem to care about protecting classified documents, her carelessness seemed peculiar to her personality. The ruling against Trump of the other two Trump-appointed judges does not conflict with the Federalist Society principles promoted by the Society’s right-wing donors.
But the judges Trump and other Republican presidents appointed over the last 20 years do not owe their appointments only to the president. With few exceptions, appointment to the federal bench by Republican presidents requires approval by the Federalist Society. Often these judges must have shown their loyalty to the principles of The Federalist Society. The Federalist Society is a multi-function organization of law students and lawyers who espouse and debate conservative legal principles. In addition, The Federalist Society is a “vehicle for powerful interests … to acquire control of the judiciary to benefit their interests.”
Koch Industries, other Koch-network foundations, Donors Trust, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and other right-wing groups fund The Federalist Society. The aims of The Federalist Society can be inferred from the other groups these right-wing billionaires are financing. For example, these billionaires would like to eliminate most public schools and functions of the federal government, like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, Social Security, and Medicare. There is no indication that these billionaires want classified documents strewn around to potential enemies of the United States.
Although one Trump-appointed District judge did not seem to care about protecting classified documents, her carelessness seemed peculiar to her personality. The ruling against Trump of the other two Trump-appointed judges does not conflict with the Federalist Society principles promoted by the Society’s right-wing donors.