In response to the Senate’s confirmation of Amul Thapar—President Trump’s first nominee to a court of appeals seat—on a party line vote, Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“For anyone who had any questions about the kind of judges that Donald Trump and his Republican allies will put on the federal bench, Judge Thapar’s confirmation provides a troubling answer. In his hearing and over the course of his career, Judge Thapar has made it apparent that he is willing to push an ideological agenda that will harm everyday Americans. In particular, his flawed legal view that would strike down commonsense rules limiting the impact of big money on our elections is deeply concerning. Billionaire backers of right-wing groups like the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation are no doubt delighted by today’s vote—but people who recognize that wealthy interests already have too much power in our democracy should not be.

“The silver lining of today’s vote is that Democrats stood firm against a nominee who will use his position to twist the law to serve corporations and the powerful. They made it perfectly clear which party is responsible for rigging the judicial system against everyday people.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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