{"id":2490627,"date":"2025-09-24T14:50:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T18:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-judge-pick-who-faced-conservative-backlash-gets-boost-from-pence-group\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T14:52:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T18:52:57","slug":"trump-judge-pick-who-faced-conservative-backlash-gets-boost-from-pence-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-judge-pick-who-faced-conservative-backlash-gets-boost-from-pence-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump judge pick who faced conservative backlash gets boost from Pence group"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-judge-pick-who-faced-conservative-backlash-gets-boost-from-pence-group%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2490627&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that the conservative think tank Advancing American Freedom (AAF), founded by former Vice president Mike Pence, is advocating for the confirmation of Rebecca Taibleson, a nominee of former President Donald Trump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Despite facing criticism from some conservative groups labeling her a &#8220;secret liberal&#8221; due to past political donations, professional associations, and alleged support from Democrats, AAF defends Taibleson as unfairly attacked and urges Senate Republicans to support her nomination.<\/p>\n<p>Taibleson is a federal prosecutor from Wisconsin with a background that includes clerking for Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Brett Kavanaugh. she also testified in support of Kavanaugh during his contentious confirmation in 2018.Her nomination has caused rare divisions among conservatives, with some questioning her judicial temperament and commitment to originalist principles.<\/p>\n<p>The criticism against her includes donations by her and her husband to democratic-leaning causes and her career spanning roles under both Obama and Biden administrations. AAF counters these accusations by contextualizing her donations and highlighting endorsements from some key Republican senators, including Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<p>During her Senate Judiciary committee hearing, Taibleson defended her record as aligned with conservative values, emphasizing her work prosecuting corruption, violent crime, and drug trafficking. She acknowledged political differences with her husband but stressed shared core values like family,religion,and public service. Her candidacy appears to have gained some support from senators such as Ted Cruz.<\/p>\n<p>The 7th circuit covers Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. TaiblesonS nomination must pass the Senate Judiciary Committee before full Senate consideration. The article also notes that a critical open letter by conservative groups opposing her nomination was deleted, and opinions on her vary widely within conservative circles. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump judicial pick who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trans-candidate-mounts-congressional-bid-diversity-in-government-is-necessary\/\" title=\"Trans candidate runs for Congress: &#039;Government needs diversity&#039;\">faced conservative backlash<\/a> gets boost from Mike Pence group<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2231617\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &mdash; <\/strong>The conservative think tank founded by former Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-pence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mike Pence<\/a> is lobbying Senate Republicans to confirm a nominee of President Donald Trump to an appeals court who has been panned by other conservatives as a closet liberal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3797146\/mike-pence-group-tells-gop-not-to-settle-biden-spending-levels-budget-fight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Advancing American Freedom<\/a> circulated content on Wednesday to GOP senators, who will be tasked with deciding whether to confirm Rebecca Taibleson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, defending the nominee for being &ldquo;unfairly criticized&rdquo; as a &ldquo;secret liberal.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3820687\/trump-pick-lindsey-halligan-virginia-prosecutor-blue-slip-battle-senate\/\">Trump pick for Virginia prosecutor post tees up latest potential &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-calls-on-grassley-to-buck-blue-slip-and-expedite-confirmation-of-his-appointees-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... calls on Grassley to buck \u2018blue slip\u2019 and expedite ... of his appointees - Washington Examiner\">blue slip&#038;rsquo<\/a>; battle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3819213\/democrats-risk-shutdown-blame-game-government-funding-hardball\/\">Democrats risk shutdown blame game with government funding hardball<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3817663\/paul-slams-fcc-chairman-comments-on-kimmel-suspension\/\">Paul slams FCC chairman&#8217;s comments on Kimmel suspension: &#8216;Absolutely inappropriate&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The attacks launched against her are factually false,&rdquo; AAF wrote in a memorandum to senators dispelling &ldquo;myths&rdquo; about Taibleson that was first seen by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;Conservatives should enthusiastically support Taibleson&rsquo;s nomination.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Taibleson is a federal prosecutor in Wisconsin and clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, as well as Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he served on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. She was among those to testify in Kavanaugh&rsquo;s support when he <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >faced sexual assault allegations<\/a>, which he denied, during his contentious 2018 confirmation.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Taibleson&rsquo;s conservative legal experience and Trump&rsquo;s backing have failed to prevent a rare split among conservative groups and figures. Some have accused her of lacking the &ldquo;judicial temperament required for an even-handed, equal application of the law along originalist grounds.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250918145501\/https:\/conservativeactionproject.com\/conservatives-oppose-the-nomination-of-rebecca-taibleson-to-the-u-s-court-of-appeals-for-the-seventh-circuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">since-deleted open letter<\/a> prior to her confirmation hearing last week that was signed by dozens of major conservative organizations, Taibleson was cited as insufficiently conservative for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legendary-video-game-creator-scott-cawthorn-retires-after-being-canceled-for-donations-to-donald-trump-tulsi-gabbard\/\" title=\"Legendary Video Game Creator Scott Cawthorn \u2018Retires\u2019 After Being \u2018Canceled\u2019 For ... To Donald ..., Tulsi Gabbard\">political donations made<\/a> by her and her husband to Democrats or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-waives-ethics-rules-for-former-lobbyists\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Waives Ethics Rules For Former Lobbyists\">left-leaning groups<\/a>, being allegedly supported by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and a job resume that includes an internship at the Justice Department under former President Barack Obama and a stint at the Office of the Solicitor General that began in Trump&rsquo;s first term but continued into the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p>The AAF memorandum to senators pushed back on the political donations criticism by noting a 2022 contribution to then-Sen. Joe Manchin, the Democrat-turned-independent, was for only $50, and her financial support of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, which supports Jewish causes, was explained by her Jewish faith. It also highlights that Baldwin has <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/us-law-week\/senator-baldwin-faces-dilemma-on-homestate-circuit-nominee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reserved judgment<\/a> and that Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) supports Taibleson.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rebecca Taibleson, a former law clerk, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the final stage of the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump&rsquo;s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was not clear why the disapproving letter of Taibleson was removed, which was posted by the Conservative Action Project. The group could not be reached for comment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/bench-memos\/rebecca-taibleson-still-the-best-choice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Several<\/a> opinion <a href=\"https:\/\/townhall.com\/columnists\/kenblackwell\/2025\/09\/12\/please-mr-president-pull-the-nomination-of-rebecca-taibleson-n2663208#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pieces<\/a> prior to her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, including one from Conservative Action Project Chairman Ken Blackwell, called on Trump to pull her nomination. <a href=\"https:\/\/reason.com\/volokh\/2025\/09\/16\/an-unfair-and-uninformed-attack-on-rebecca-taiblesons-jewish-faith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Others<\/a> have come to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/opinion\/mike-davis-trumps-latest-pick-reform-federal-judiciary-another-home-run\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">her defense<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At her hearing, Taibleson <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/us-law-week\/trump-judge-pick-who-drew-conservative-pushback-defends-herself\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defended her record<\/a> as &ldquo;fully consistent&rdquo; with conservative values, including prosecuting public corruption, violent crime, and drug traffickers. She also addressed criticisms of her husband&rsquo;s political views, acknowledging that the two of them &ldquo;don&rsquo;t agree about everything in politics or the law, but my husband and I do agree about what, it turns out, are more important things in day-to-day life.&rdquo; She cited family, religion, love of country, and public service devotion.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3820687\/trump-pick-lindsey-halligan-virginia-prosecutor-blue-slip-battle-senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRUMP PICK FOR VIRGINIA PROSECUTOR POST TEES UP LATEST POTENTIAL &lsquo;BLUE SLIP&rsquo; BATTLE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Taibleson appeared to satisfy Republicans on the panel. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who posed a question about the criticism, said she offered a &ldquo;very impressive answer&rdquo; and praised her past defense of Kavanaugh.<\/p>\n<p>The 7th Circuit, for which Taibleson is nominated, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/file\/document\/us-federal-courts-circuit-map\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">encompasses<\/a> Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. Taibleson will need to be advanced from the committee before the full chamber can consider confirmation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pence group backs Trump judicial pick amid conservative backlash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2490628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP18250659369066.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[51187,46926,3634],"class_list":["post-2490627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-conservative-backlash","tag-judge-pick","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP18250659369066.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2490627"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2490631,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490627\/revisions\/2490631"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2490628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2490627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2490627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2490627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}