A New Judge in Town: What You Need to Know About Eric Tung

Eric Tung, a lawyer from Los Angeles, is on track to become a judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He's never been a judge before, but he's known for his strong conservative views and his work in the crypto industry. He's also a competitive shooter and a Catholic. Tung was picked by President Trump to replace Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta, who is stepping down. Tung has been supported by Mike Davis, a key figure in Trump's legal circle. Trump himself called Tung a "Tough Patriot" who will uphold the rule of law in liberal states like California, Oregon, and Washington. Not everyone is happy about Tung's nomination. Senator Alex Padilla said Tung's views on the Constitution could lead to inequality and exclude many Americans from equal justice. In the past, senators from a nominee's home state could block a nomination, but Trump has ignored this tradition. Tung has kept quiet about his nomination. He's a Yale and University of Chicago Law School graduate who clerked for Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Neil Gorsuch. He's also worked at the law firm Jones Day, which has ties to the Trump Justice Department. Some groups have praised Tung's nomination, like the National Asian Pacific American Bar Assn. and the Judicial Crisis Network. But others, like Alliance for Justice and Demand Justice, have spoken out against it. If confirmed, Tung will be Trump's 11th appointment to the 9th Circuit. This court has a history of liberal leanings, but Trump has been changing that. Some of Trump's other judges have made controversial decisions, like allowing the military to be deployed on American streets and pausing the refugee program. Tung has strong views on religious liberty and opposes affirmative action. He and his wife, Emily Lataif, are both involved in the anti-abortion movement. During his confirmation hearings, Tung avoided answering some questions, which some senators found suspicious. For example, he wouldn't say whether he thought landmark cases like Obergefell vs. Hodges and Lawrence vs. Texas were decided correctly. But he did say he believes in the 1967 case Loving vs. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage, because he and his wife are an interracial couple.