Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, Jun 20: President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Chad Meredith, a conservative legal figure from Kentucky, to the federal bench — a name that once stirred controversy during President Joe Biden’s term.

Meredith, who previously served as Kentucky’s solicitor general and defended several anti-abortion laws, was nearly nominated by Biden in 2022 in a political compromise with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The move drew heavy criticism from Democrats and abortion rights advocates, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. At the time, Biden backed off following opposition from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, effectively shelving Meredith’s potential appointment.

Now, with Trump at the helm and Paul offering full support, Meredith’s nomination has been revived — this time with less resistance. In fact, Paul himself recommended Meredith for the post to the White House.

“Chad is a courageous Patriot who knows what is required to uphold the Rule of Law and protect our Constitution,” Trump stated on Truth Social, praising Meredith’s qualifications and ideological alignment.

McConnell, who had earlier championed Meredith during the Biden administration, also lauded the decision, calling it an “outstanding choice” and citing Meredith’s “devotion to the rule of law.”

Notably, Paul’s previous resistance was not rooted in any personal objection to Meredith’s record, but rather in frustration over what he described as a secret deal between McConnell and the White House. That intra-party disagreement ultimately prevented Biden from formalizing the nomination.

The current nomination adheres to the Senate’s traditional “blue slip” practice, allowing home-state senators to block judicial nominations. While the custom has waned in recent years, it still holds weight for district court judges — a factor that helped derail Meredith’s candidacy under Biden.

Despite Trump’s support, opposition from civil rights advocates remains strong. Lena Zwarensteyn of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called the nomination “deeply troubling,” citing Meredith’s anti-abortion stance.

As the process unfolds, Meredith’s name — once emblematic of a failed bipartisan gamble — now becomes a test of Trump’s influence and the GOP’s judicial strategy heading into 2025.