Indian-American Amul Thapar on Trump's list of Supreme Court judges
What's the story
Amul Thapar, an Indian-American legal luminary, is among the 25 shortlisted judges US President Donald Trump could nominate to replace Supreme Court Justice, Anthony Kennedy. Announcing his retirement, Justice Kennedy, 81, said July 31 would be his last day at the apex court. Trump said his nominee to replace Kennedy would be from this list compiled by Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society. Here's more.
Appointment
Trump appointed Thapar as Kentucky judge last year
Last year, Trump appointed Thapar, who sits on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals and a former United States Attorney, for the District of Kentucky and District Judge. The son of Indian-American immigrants, Thapar is the Nation's first Article III judge of South Asian descent. Reportedly, seven judges could be on Trump's mind to replace Kennedy and Thapar is one among them.
Legal career
Judge Amul Thapar's legal journey
Thapar began his legal career in private practice, after clerkships with Judge S Arthur Spiegel of the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and Judge Nathaniel R Jones of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He received his BS from Boston College in 1991 and his Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of California, Berkeley.
Favorite
Thapar is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's favorite
"Thapar is a favorite of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and as a candidate, Trump said he would consider Thapar as a Supreme Court pick," The Washington Post reported. "He was interviewed by Trump for Supreme Court vacancy last year," it said. McConnell, who called for a nominee who will interpret the law fairly and apply it even-handedly, has praised Thapar in the past.