Biased ABA Smears Lawrence VanDyke at Confirmation Hearing

No one can deny Lawrence VanDyke’s excellent credentials for the federal court system. Attempting to deface his reputation nonetheless, the ABA and its progressive counterparts in the Senate questioned his impartiality toward LGBTQ litigants due to his faith. Learn more at FirstLiberty.org/Briefing. President Trump and I have a common friend in Lawrence VanDyke.  I know Lawrence from the time he’s spent volunteering with First Liberty Institute and as solicitor general of both Nevada and Montana.  President Trump nominated him to an open seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. As you might guess, he took a few shots during his confirmation hearing.  This time, the real culprit seems to be the American Bar Association.  Somehow, the ABA is perceived to be a neutral evaluator of judicial nominees.  So, rating Lawrence as “not qualified” is a severe blow to his nomination.  When senators inquired if he would be fair toward LGBTQ litigants, Lawrence’s emotions got the better of him.  Choking back tears, he managed to say, “It is a fundamental belief of mine that all people are created in the image of God.  They should all be treated with dignity and respect.”  No one can honestly and credibly attack VanDyke’s sterling credentials. No one even tries. But attacks on someone’s legal research, writing, and advocacy are not in the playbook for today’s progressive left, which is driven by a militant secularism that worships at the altar of wokeness. Lawrence VanDyke is a compassionate man with a brilliant intellect who has donated hours and hours of his professional career defending religious liberty.  I hope the senate ignores the ABA’s biased letter and confirms my friend, Lawrence VanDyke. To learn how First Liberty is protecting religious liberty for all Americans, visit FirstLiberty.org.