WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following today’s Senate vote to confirm Cory Wilson, a Donald Trump nominee, to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, PFAW President Ben Jealous and Executive Vice President for Policy and Program Marge Baker released the following statements:

“The Wilson confirmation really shines a spotlight on the harm Donald Trump is doing to vulnerable communities and communities of color with his judicial appointments. Cory Wilson defended racist voting restrictions in Mississippi. He is a virulent opponent of the Affordable Care Act at a time when people — especially people of color — are being devastated by a pandemic. There is no question that judicial appointments are a racial equity issue, and this confirmation is devastating. The power of presidents and senators to nominate and confirm judges is something we have to keep in mind when we vote in November,” said Jealous.

“It’s unconscionable that Mitch McConnell has rammed through confirmations of two anti-health care judges, Justin Walker and Cory Wilson, at the height of a pandemic. Remember that this is what Republicans are prioritizing instead of relief for the tens of millions of Americans who are suffering because the coronavirus has killed their loved ones, made them ill, or put them out of work. The fact that Wilson has supported voting restrictions, at a time when the pandemic is making voting harder than ever, only makes matters worse. It will take an intense effort by the next administration to counterbalance the harm Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have done to our justice system,” said Baker.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.