POLITICS
A New Judge in Town: What You Need to Know About Eric Tung
Los Angeles, USAWed Sep 24 2025
Background
- Name: Eric Tung
- Current Role: Lawyer from Los Angeles
- Nomination: Judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Replacing: Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta
- Known For:
- Strong conservative views
- Work in the crypto industry
- Competitive shooting
- Catholic faith
Nomination Details
- Picked By: President Trump
- Supported By: Mike Davis, a key figure in Trump's legal circle
- Trump's Statement: Called Tung a "Tough Patriot" who will uphold the rule of law in liberal states like California, Oregon, and Washington.
Controversies and Opposition
- Criticism From: Senator Alex Padilla
- Concern: Tung's views on the Constitution could lead to inequality and exclude many Americans from equal justice.
- Tradition Ignored: Senators from a nominee's home state could historically block a nomination, but Trump has ignored this tradition.
Professional Background
- Education:
- Yale
- University of Chicago Law School
- Clerked For:
- Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Neil Gorsuch
- Work Experience:
- Law firm Jones Day, which has ties to the Trump Justice Department.
Reactions to Nomination
- Supporting Groups:
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Assn.
- Judicial Crisis Network
- Opposing Groups:
- Alliance for Justice
- Demand Justice
Impact on the 9th Circuit
- If Confirmed: Trump's 11th appointment to the 9th Circuit.
- Court History: Known for liberal leanings, but Trump has been changing that.
- Controversial Decisions by Other Trump Judges:
- Allowed the military to be deployed on American streets.
- Paused the refugee program.
Personal Views and Stances
- Religious Liberty: Strong views.
- Affirmative Action: Opposes.
- Anti-Abortion Movement: Involved with his wife, Emily Lataif.
- Confirmation Hearings:
- Avoided answering some questions, which some senators found suspicious.
- Wouldn't say whether he thought landmark cases like Obergefell vs. Hodges and Lawrence vs. Texas were decided correctly.
- Believes in the 1967 case Loving vs. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage, because he and his wife are an interracial couple.
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questions
If Tung's nomination is confirmed, will the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals finally have a judge who can out-shoot the Wild West?
What are the potential long-term effects of appointing judges with strong ideological leanings to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals?
Is there any evidence to suggest that Eric Tung's appointment is part of a larger plan to undermine the judicial system from within?
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