Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s decision to retire at the end of July means that President Trump will have the responsibility of nominating a replacement justice. He should nominate U.S. Circuit Judge Don Willett.
While Willett is best known for his active, amusing, and somewhat quirky Twitter feed (which has sadly long been inactive), his service would bring three key benefits to the Supreme Court.
[Also read: Trump sticking with list of 25 potential Supreme Court justices to replace Anthony Kennedy]
First, Willett retains a superb legal reputation among judges, attorneys, and other legal minds. Although Willett is not defined by rulings on significant legal debates, he is widely regarded for his focused and deliberative appraisal of the law. It is important that Trump nominate someone who has the legal credentials to win perceivable suitability to sit in judgment on the nation’s highest court.
Put another way, Trump must not pick a partisan and Willett isn’t that.
Second, Willett is well-regarded as a caring jurist who recognizes that people always ultimately sit at the heart of a legal case. This matters because it helps the judiciary retain the trust of the people it serves and it offers the prospect of opinions which speak to people in terms they understand. I’m a particular fan of the Chief Justice John Roberts for this reason. Unlike some other justices on the court, Roberts understands that part of his job is ensuring the law is read and thus understood more widely. Willett’s Twitter feed also shows his desire to engage citizens with America’s least understood branch of power.
Third, Willett’s rulings and statements suggest he is skeptical of excessive government overreach into the lives of the citizenry. While Willett’s controversial opinions are relatively few in number, he has shown a disdain for judicial interference into matters that belong to the politicians and their electorates. In this skepticism of judicial activism, Willett’s nomination may find Republican favor alongside a few Democratic votes. It would also offer balance to the more interventionist sentiments of Justices Alito, Thomas, Breyer, and Sotomayor.
Fourth, Willett is only 51 years old, only slightly older than Justice Neil Gorsuch. Willett would hopefully spend a few decades on the court, solidifying proper rulings for a generation.
Also, Willett is Texan and Texans are fun. Trump would do well to nominate Judge Willett for the Supreme Court.
