CNN commentator Symone Sanders said Wednesday the Trump administration is enacting a "hostile takeover of the courts," complaining some of the judges weren't approved by the American Bar Association.
Senate leaders struck a deal on Tuesday to quickly confirm seven more federal district court judges, meaning President Donald Trump has now had 60 judges put on the bench. That includes Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Sanders, who served as press secretary for the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), said it amounted to a hostile takeover and was "very underreported."
"This has been very underreported, but folks do not understand that a hostile takeover of the courts by folks who are not even approved by the American Bar Association is happening," she said. "There are judges on the list right now that are not approved by the American Bar Association, and Donald Trump's lasting legacy, among other things. will be that he was able to reshape the courts for a generation, and that is something Grassley and McConnell are very tied to, and I think they don't want to see their ally in this effort go."
The judges have been chosen based on counsel from the Federalist Society, a conservative organization. The group was also instrumental in steering Judge Brett Kavanaugh to his nomination to the Supreme Court; his hearings begin Sept. 4.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) canceled the annual August recess to accelerate the process, and his chief of staff Don Stewart said eight more of Trump's district court nominees are set to be confirmed next week.
Liberals are furious with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) for making the most recent agreement with McConnell to fast-track the confirmations.