President Trump Nominates Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court

President Donald J. Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, a position she will fill with honor and distinction, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Judge Barrett’s extensive experience as a professor and litigator, record of academic success, and outstanding judicial record make her an excellent choice to serve on the Supreme Court. She’s currently serving the American people on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, where she has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to upholding the Constitution as written, and not legislating from the bench. Judge Barrett’s excellent judicial record shows she will protect the rights of Americans and defend the rule of law.

Judge Barrett’s character and work ethic have earned her awards and bipartisan praise from the legal community. Her colleagues at Notre Dame Law School signed a letter supporting her 2017 nomination, calling her “a model of the fair, impartial and sympathetic judge.” In 2017, a bipartisan group of law professors – including professors from Harvard and Stanford and other law schools around the country – urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm Judge Barrett to the Seventh Circuit, describing her work as “rigorous, fair-minded, respectful, and constructive.” In addition, the American Bar Association rated Judge Barrett as “well qualified” in 2017.

Judge Barrett brings a wealth of experience from her time in private practice, academia and public service. She was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts to sit on the Advisory Committee on Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, where she served from 2010 to 2016.  After graduating from law school, Judge Barrett clerked for D.C. Circuit Judge Laurence Silberman and for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. At Notre Dame, Judge Barrett worked for more than 15 years in academia, shaping the next generation of legal minds and supporting the professional development of her student.

Judge Barrett has received numerous awards as a result of her excellence as a legal scholar and professor. She graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law School and received the Hoynes Prize for achieving the best record in scholarship, deportment, and achievement. During her undergrad, at Rhodes College, Judge Barrett graduated with multiple highly respected honors, including induction into Phi Beta Kappa.

Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, Judge Barrett is a woman of faith and character, and she is an historic nominee. She is a working mother of seven, including two adopted children from Haiti and one child with special needs. Judge Barrett is a devout Catholic, and is actively involved in her community and her church.

If confirmed, Judge Barrett would be only the fifth woman to serve on the Supreme Court, and she would become the only mother currently on the Court.