Indian American Amul Roger Thapar was among the four candidates President Donald Trump interviewed on Monday for nomination as a Supreme Court justice. The President said he would interview “two or three more” candidates before announcing his pick for the nine-member Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS) on July 9.
“..I interviewed and met with four potential justices of our great Supreme Court. They are outstanding people. They are really incredible people in so many different ways, academically and every other way,” Mr. Trump said.
“I think the person that is chosen will be outstanding.” Mr. Trump has said he is looking for a conservative justice who will be on the bench for a long time. Mr. Thapar is 49 and appointments to the SCOTUS is for life.
As he did with the nomination of Neil Gorsuch as a SCOTUS justice last year, Mr. Trump is building up anticipation for the announcement, by tweets, public speeches and in interactions with the media.
Turning the tables
A member of the Indian-American minority, not part of the traditional ruling elite, and a strong conservative who has an originalist view of the U.S Constitution, Mr. Thapar fits in Mr. Trump’s plans smoothly.
Mr. Trump is also considering two women for the nomination. Mr. Trump might want to turn the tables on his liberal opponents who consider his policies not in the interest of women and minorities by nominating a woman or a member of a minority group.
Mr. Thapar was appointed a judge on the U.S Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals by Mr. Trump last year. He was earlier a prosecutor in Ohio where he grew up, a U.S. attorney in Kentucky, and a trial-court judge.
He has been confirmed three times by the Senate already for previous appointments and has built reputation as a formidable conservative through his lectures at prestigious law schools in the U.S.
Mr. Thapar is backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Judge Thapar reflects the President’s views on the Constitution and fits his politics,” said Shekhar Tiwari, chairman of American Hindu Coalition (AHC).
A Republican and Trump-supporter, Mr. Tiwari said the AHC would launch a campaign to muster support for Mr. Thapar if he gets the nomination.
For now, the liberal groups have launched a campaign against all candidates on Mr.Trump’s list. “The last person we need on the Supreme Court is a Mitch McConnell crony who will interpret the Constitution with the goal of helping Republicans win elections,” said Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, an organisation that has announced a $5-million campaign against any Trump nominee.