There has been a momentous shift in the relationship between the President and the Senate, and most people have missed it.
asserted
people → miss → it
Let's start with the Eighth Circuit.
asserted
's → let → Circuit
The Trump Administration interviewed Justice Cody Hiland, but determined he was not up to the task of being a circuit judge, so they offered him a federal district court seat as a consolation prize.
asserted
they → interview → prize
Hiland shot back at the White House Counsel and refused the seat.
asserted
Hiland → shoot → seat
He even wanted to rub it in Trump's face.
asserted
He → want → face
The White House made a stellar nomination with Judge Lee Rudofsky.
asserted
House → make → Rudofsky
Hiland then told an entire room of law students about his experience as a lesson that should be learned.
asserted
that → tell → lesson
But Hiland had a friend in a high place.
asserted
Hiland → have → place
Senator Boozman of Arkansas lobbied Senator Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Cornyn of Texas to block Judge Rudofsky.
asserted
Boozman → lobby → Rudofsky
Apparently there were some discussions between the President and Boozman, and the President folded.
asserted
President → be → President
Maybe Trump determined that he needed as many judges confirmed before January, so the identity of the judge didn't matter.
asserted
identity → determine → judge
Maybe Trump didn't want to create more problems with his caucus.
asserted
Trump → want → caucus
Maybe Trump just didn't care.
asserted
Trump → care → ?
Who knows?
asserted
Who → know → ?
Trump withdrew Rudofsky and nominated Hiland.
asserted
Trump → withdraw → Hiland
There is no guarantee that Hiland gets a hearing and makes it through the process.
asserted
Hiland → be → process
And frankly, I wouldn't blame some of the other conservative senators from the Eighth Circuit for putting Hiland through the paces at the hearing.
asserted
I → blame → hearing
It's not clear to me he'll be able to answer all the questions.
asserted
he → answer → questions
But regardless of what happens, Senator Boozman won and President Trump lost.
asserted
Trump → happen → ?
It is painfully clear there was some sort of deal between Judge Southwick and Senator Wicker.
asserted
It → be → Southwick
In no universe would the White House have picked Todd Butler without that deal.
asserted
House → pick → deal
I've yet to hear anyone provide me a single shred of evidence that he is conservative beyond saying "All southern lawyers are conservative.
asserted
lawyers → hear → evidence
Moreover, Southwick announced on September 29 that he would Senior Status, making it virtually impossible for another nominee to be selected.
asserted
nominee → announce → Status
Yesterday, I watched Butler's confirmation hearing with interest.
asserted
I → watch → interest
He received a few softballs from Senator Grassley, a very warm welcome from Senator Kennedy, and some surprisingly nice questions from Senator Booker about representing police officers.
asserted
He → receive → officers
Butler did not seem to understand departmentalism and mis-cited Mabury v. Madison.
asserted
Butler → seem → Madison
I actually think Butler tripped up on Senator Blumenthal's questions about January 6 and the election, but it didn't matter.
asserted
it → think → January
He sailed through.
asserted
He → sail → ?
Members of the conservative legal movement have raised doubts about Butler.
asserted
Members → raise → Butler
Only they know why they stayed out.
asserted
they → know → ?
Senator Wicker prevailed, and the President lost.
asserted
President → prevail → ?
Someone yesterday asked me if I knew what Senator Armstrong was doing.
asserted
Armstrong → ask → what
He is the temporary senator appointed to fill Senator Mullins's seat.
asserted
He → appoint → seat
As Mike Fragoso relays, Armstrong is blocking the nomination of Zach West to the District Court in Oklahoma.
asserted
Armstrong → relay → Oklahoma
This is all about some sort of squabble between West and defeated-AG Drummond.
asserted
This → defeat → West
Armstrong returned a blue slip but is now trying to take it back.
asserted
Armstrong → return → it
That's not how things work.
asserted
things → work → ?
If Armstrong prevails here, the President will lose.
asserted
President → prevail → ?
Circuit seats belong to the circuit, and not to the state.
asserted
seats → belong → state
It bothers me that "home state" senators introduce circuit court nominees.
asserted
senators → bother → nominees
…and 9 more, not listed.
The Aporia
