WASHINGTON: Indian-American luminary Amul Thapar has been nominated by US President Donald Trump for a key judicial position on the powerful US courts of appeals. Thapar, 47, is the first PIO to be nominated for the top judicial post earlier this week. Once confirmed, he will be part of the powerful US 6th circuit court of appeals, which hears appeals from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Michigan.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell applauded Trump's decision. “Throughout his already impressive career of public service, Amul has shown an incredible intellect and an unshakeable dedication to the law. He has earned the respect of his colleagues, and I know that he will bring the 6th circuit the same wisdom, fairness, and ability that he has shown on the district court. President Trump made an outstanding choice,” he said.
Even the South Asian Bar Association of North America lauded the decision. “Judge Thapar is a respected and thoughtful jurist who has long served as role model for the South Asian and greater legal community,” said Vichal Kumar, SABA president. “Despite being among the youngest judges in the federal judiciary, Judge Amul Thapar quickly established a reputation as a top legal scholar among his peers.”
Meanwhile, India-born former top federal prosecutor Preet Bharara who was recently fired by the Trump administration after he refused to quit, will join the NYU School of Law as a “distinguished scholar in residence” on April 1.
