All of President Donald Trump’s first-term appellate appointments will have been seated once Justin Walker takes his place Wednesday on what’s considered to be the nation’s second-most powerful court.
Barring an unexpected vacancy in coming months, Walker’s start on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will cap Trump’s four-year appeals appointments at 53, or nearly 30% of the 179 seats.
Walker was confirmed along party lines by the Republican-led Senate in June. He’s joining two other Trump appointees: Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao.
In his late 30s, Walker is one of the nation’s youngest appellate judges and reflects Trump’s pledge to reshape the judiciary with younger conservatives.
He’s also a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and a former clerk for then-D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh and former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Walker is replacing Thomas Griffith, a 15-year veteran of the D.C.circuit and an appointee of President George W. Bush. He will leave a legacy of command over the administrative legal issues that frequently come before the court.
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