David Lat, a lawyer and legal commentator with Original Jurisdiction, addressed the controversy surrounding Rebecca Taibleson's nomination to the Seventh Circuit. In a newsletter, Lat highlighted criticisms directed at Taibleson due to small donations and alleged connections to Senator Tammy Baldwin.
"Trump's pick for a Wisconsin-based Seventh Circuit seat is taking flak from some conservatives," said Lat.
According to Lat's newsletter, Taibleson faced criticism from some conservatives for reasons he described as "pretty ridiculous," such as a $50 donation to Senator Joe Manchin. He emphasized her credentials, including clerkships for Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Brett Kavanaugh before Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. Lat noted that several conservative legal commentators defended Taibleson, arguing that the criticisms were misplaced.
One notable critic is Ken Blackwell, a conservative activist and former Ohio Secretary of State. Blackwell authored an op-ed in TownHall urging President Trump to withdraw Taibleson's nomination. He cited her 2022 contribution to then-Senator Joe Manchin, her internship at the Department of Justice under the Obama administration, and purported support from Senator Tammy Baldwin as reasons for concern. Blackwell argued that conservatives should oppose Taibleson's confirmation.
According to Bloomberg Law, Taibleson was part of a slate of nominees recommended by a bipartisan commission established under Wisconsin law by Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Each senator appointed three members to the six-member commission. The article reports that Senator Johnson supports Taibleson's nomination; however, there is no clear indication of Baldwin's stance. At her confirmation hearing, Taibleson acknowledged Johnson's backing but said she was unaware of Baldwin's support.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board described the complaints against Taibleson as "unserious," rhetorically questioning, "With conservative friends like these, who needs liberal enemies?" The editorial also noted that Taibleson attributes much of her judicial philosophy to her experiences clerking for Justices Scalia and Kavanaugh. Furthermore, the WSJ confirmed via Senator Baldwin’s office that Baldwin has not publicly endorsed or opposed Taibleson's nomination.
Rebecca Taibleson holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and completed her J.D. at Yale Law School in 2010 after transferring from Stanford Law School. Early in her career, she clerked for now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and for Justice Antonin Scalia at the U.S. Supreme Court. She has worked in private practice at Kirkland & Ellis, served in various roles within the Department of Justice (including as assistant to the Solicitor General), and currently serves as Appellate Chief and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
