Latest news with #TennesseeAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Whitney Hermandorfer, Trump's First Judicial Pick of Second Term, Approved
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's first judicial nominee of his second term, approving Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 46–42 vote fell strictly along party lines. Hermandorfer previously served as director of strategic litigation for the Tennessee attorney general, where she defended several of Trump's policies, including efforts to end birthright citizenship and support for the state's near-total abortion ban. Hermandorfer's confirmation underscores Trump's continued effort to shape the federal judiciary, a campaign that defined much of his first term. Under Trump's previous administration, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed 234 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices. Democrats responded during President Joe Biden's term by confirming 235 judges of their own — a record that Trump is now seeking to surpass. Whitney Hermandorfer of the Tennessee Attorney General's Office speaks before a panel of judges, April 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Whitney Hermandorfer of the Tennessee Attorney General's Office speaks before a panel of judges, April 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Associated Press Unlike the start of his first term, when Trump inherited more than 100 judicial vacancies due to the GOP-led Senate's obstruction during President Barack Obama's final years, he now faces a slimmer number — 49 vacancies out of nearly 900 federal judgeships. Still, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has vowed to press ahead with confirmations, noting that although there are fewer openings this time, the Republican-led Senate will prioritize moving nominees swiftly. Critics of Hermandorfer's nomination have pointed to her limited courtroom experience — she graduated from law school just ten years ago — and what they view as a deeply ideological background. Her record drew sharp criticism from Democrats and progressive legal groups, who labeled her views extreme and pointed to her office's defense of Tennessee's stringent abortion ban. Prior to that role, Hermandorfer clerked for three U.S. Supreme Court justices. At her confirmation hearing, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) questioned her qualifications, citing the "striking brevity" of her litigation record. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, accused Trump of valuing personal loyalty and political alignment over judicial independence. The Judiciary Committee is also preparing to vote on additional nominees, including Emil Bove, a senior Justice Department official and former Trump attorney nominated for the Third Circuit. Bove's nomination has drawn scrutiny following allegations from a whistleblower who claimed Bove suggested the administration might need to defy judicial rulings. Bove has denied the accusation and instead criticized the FBI for "insubordination," claiming agents refused to identify those involved in the Capitol riot investigation and that he dismissed prosecutors tied to the Jan. 6 cases. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Axios
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump appoints Nashville-area attorney Whitney Hermandorfer to federal bench
President Trump nominated local attorney Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Why it matters: This is Trump's first judicial appointment of his new term. Her appointment was celebrated by Tennessee's top Republican elected officials. Zoom in: Hermandorfer serves as director of the strategic litigation unit for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office. She played basketball at Princeton, where she earned her undergrad, before earning her law degree at George Washington University. She earned prestigious clerkships for Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett. Before that, Hermandorfer graduated from Harpeth Hall. If confirmed, Hermandorfer would replace veteran appeals court Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, who was appointed to the bench by former President Obama. What they're saying: Trump called Hermandorfer"a staunch defender of girl's and women's sports." Hermandorfer argued the lawsuit over federal sexual discrimination rules related to gender identity.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump announces Tennessee attorney as first judicial nomination of second term
President Donald Trump named a Tennessee woman as his first judicial nomination since returning to office for a second term. In a social media post late May 1, Trump announced Whitney Hermandorfer as his pick for the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Hermandorfer currently serves as director of the strategic litigation unit in Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office. The sixth circuit covers Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The court sits in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hermandorfer, if confirmed, will replace Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, appointed by former President Barack Obama, who last year said she planned to take senior status, a form of semi-retirement for judges. In her time with the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, Hermandorfer worked to defend the state's near-total abortion ban and challenged the ban on discrimination against transgender students. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti posted about Hermandorfer's nomination on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, calling her leadership a high bar of excellence. "She has led not just teams of Tennessee attorneys but broad coalitions of states from across the country," Skrmetti wrote. "President Trump has selected a lawyer's lawyer for this important role. Whitney Hermandorfer's unwavering commitment to the rule of law, her exacting analytical rigor, and her unshakeable optimism will serve our country well. Hermandorfer, Skrmetti said, will have big shoes to fill. "Her service on the Sixth Circuit exemplifies the combination of intellect, integrity, and kindness I expect Whitney will herself bring to the Court," Skrmetti said of Stranch. "Both are proud Tennesseans and proud moms, and both are outstanding role models for young attorneys and aspiring judges." U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, added to the praise for Hermandorfer. "Throughout Whitney's esteemed career, she has demonstrated that she will be a fair-minded, principled jurist who will apply our nation's laws as they are written and protect the constitutional rights of all Americans," Blackburn said. "The President could not have selected a better individual to be his first judicial nomination this term, and I look forward to swiftly advancing Whitney's nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee and onto the Senate floor to get her confirmed.' Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman applauded Hermandorfer's nomination. 'Whitney was one of the brilliant advocates behind our lawsuit to protect women's sports, and her ability to see around legal corners led to key victories all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," Coleman said. 'While I know our colleague, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, will be sorry to lose Whitney's talent, Kentucky is eager to have her join our circuit bench. I'm proud to congratulate Whitney and her family, and we encourage the U.S. Senate to confirm her nomination.' This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: President Trump nominates Tennessee attorney as federal judge
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee legislature puts state watchdog agency under attorney general
Responsibility for investigation claims of discrimination, including from state agencies, will become the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti after the legislature dissolved the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The Tennessee Attorney General's Office could soon have the responsibility for investigating claims of discrimination by state agencies after the state Senate passed a measure dissolving the Human Rights Commission and moving operations to the AG's office. Senate Bill 861, sponsored by Huntingdon Republican Sen. John Stevens, passed Monday 27-6 on partisan lines. The House version, sponsored by Goodletsville Republican Rep. Johnny Garrett, passed Thursday. The bill would go next to the governor's desk for his signature. The 60-year-old commission is a nonpartisan and independent agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing and public accommodation as well as discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee. Bill to give Tennessee AG civil rights oversight draws Democratic pushback over partisanship The measure has drawn criticism from Democrats who say handing discrimination claims to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sets up a 'fox in the henhouse' scenario. After Stevens referred to Skrmetti's office as 'the most nonpartisan' of Tennessee's three branches of government, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, a Memphis Democrat, disagreed. 'I'm not going to make it personal, but if you've never been discriminated against . . . it makes a difference who is investigating,' Akbari said. 'I would urge you to google the last few suits the attorney general has filed and I assure you their actions do not look nonpartisan.' Skrmetti has led or joined lawsuits that include a challenge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's rule prohibiting discrimination against women seeking abortions, litigation seeking to stop transgender medical care for minors and sent letters to corporations warning them against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, among other actions. Tennessee Attorney General's Office to election finance office: We're 'not an investigative agency' Stevens said his review of the commission showed that thousands of claims have 'languished' and not been investigated. Democrats objected to that characterization. 'HRC testified to the fact they have several vacancies on their commission and it's because the House Speaker has refused the fill the vacancies since 2022,' said Sen. Charlane Oliver, a Nashville Democrat. 'We have crippled the ability of the HRC to do their job,' she said. 'That may be the reason they can't respond to complaints.' Sen. Kerry Roberts, a Springfield Republican, described the commission as 'enormously ineffective' before calling for a vote. Under the measure, the commission will be dissolved by July 1 and its 30 staff positions will move to the attorney general's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Our bills would assure civil rights protections for all Tennesseans
The Volunteer State has a proud tradition of demonstrating leadership in the quest to protect civil liberties and ensure equal access for all. Our efforts have resonated nationwide. It was 105 years ago when the Tennessee General Assembly provided the 36th and final vote needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving millions of women the right to vote. Tennessee was the epicenter of student-led nonviolent sit-ins in the 1960s, where brave Black Americans risked their safety to desegregate lunch counters. In more recent years, Tennessee has expanded access to higher education for all by becoming the first state in the nation to offer free community college to high school graduates and returning adults. We've stood firm on religious liberties, protecting the rights of churches and faith-based organizations to operate according to their beliefs. And at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states, Tennessee leads the nation with its commitment to election integrity and ability to balance greater access with accountability. The list goes on, but what makes Tennessee truly remarkable is our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and exercise their rights. As the sponsors of Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910, our goal is straightforward: to ensure all Tennesseans have access to efficient, effective protection against discrimination. The bill simply transfers the enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, a structural change that will better serve citizens experiencing discrimination. We condemn discrimination in all forms. That is why we have ensured our legislation preserves every substantive protection of the THRA. While maintaining current protections, the bill expands these safeguards by adding discrimination in education as a prohibited practice and establishes a civil penalty for malicious harassment. Every Tennessean deserves robust protection from discrimination, and our commitment to this principle remains unwavering. This bill increases government efficiency by streamlining the complaint and enforcement process, directly connecting those who experience discrimination with the state's chief legal office, who can forcefully advocate on their behalf. If a citizen is unhappy with how their case is being handled, their individual right to sue is preserved. We strive to strengthen the enforcement of our civil rights laws while making the process more accessible and effective for all Tennesseans. Our message is clear: If you violate civil rights in Tennessee, you will be held accountable. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has the capability and experience to enforce the THRA effectively. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has a notable background in civil rights enforcement. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis's Civil Rights Unit, he prosecuted significant civil rights cases, including racially motivated violence and religiously targeted hate crimes. His work prosecuting the leaders of the Aryan Alliance for the firebombing of a Tennessee mosque, along with his role in securing justice for a law enforcement officer murdered in a racially motivated attack, highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil rights of Tennesseans. This dedication earned Skrmetti the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service – one of the Department of Justice's highest honors – and other awards, including the Civil Rights Division's first-ever Victim Rights Award. As attorney general, he has been active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans. His office has taken on some of the most powerful opponents in the country, including BlackRock, Google, and even the federal government – and won. We are confident he will be equally active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans from illegal discrimination. The protection of civil rights transcends political differences. All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law and a system that resolves discrimination claims efficiently and effectively. House Bill 910/Senate Bill 861 represents a thoughtful progression in how our state upholds these fundamental rights. Ultimately, this legislation is about deterring discrimination and expediting justice for Tennesseans when it happens. By entrusting enforcement to the Attorney General's Office, with its established legal expertise and resources, we will continue our legacy of civil rights leadership and provide Tennesseans with more timely, effective protection against discrimination. John Stevens is an attorney from Huntingdon. He represents District 24 of the Tennessee State Senate, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties. Johnny Garrett is an attorney from Goodlettsville. He represents District 45 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Sumner County. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Our bills boost civil rights protections for all Tennesseans | Opinion
