In a strategic move reminiscent of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has revealed a list of potential judicial appointees should he win the 2024 election. This makes him the first Republican candidate in this cycle to do so.
Ramaswamy's list features prominent figures like Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee as potential Supreme Court or federal appellate court nominees. It also includes federal judges Kathryn Mizelle and Matthew Kacsmaryk, both Trump appointees, known for rulings against the Biden administration. Mizelle overturned Biden's air travel mask mandate, while Kacsmaryk challenged the FDA's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.
The list further includes respected conservative legal figures such as Paul Clement, former solicitor general under President George W. Bush, and James Ho, another Trump-appointed judge. Ramaswamy noted that Ho had even cited his book, "Woke, Inc.," in a judicial opinion.
Ramaswamy emphasized transparency with voters as the rationale behind releasing the list. He believes it's crucial for voters to understand his judicial philosophy and potential appointments when choosing the next president. He also stated that he wouldn't nominate Cruz or Lee if it jeopardized the Republican party's standing in the Senate.
The focus on the Supreme Court's direction proved to be a significant factor in the 2016 election, and it continues to be a key concern for voters in 2024. Recent Supreme Court decisions, such as overturning affirmative action and halting Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, underscore the court's impact on national policy. Ramaswamy joins a crowded field of Republican candidates vying for the nomination, including Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott.
