Free Republic

Sen. Ted Cruz will oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Halil Suleyman “Sul” Ozerden, a major setback for the embattled nomination. Cruz (R-Texas) has informed the White House and colleagues this week that he will oppose Ozerden, according to three people familiar with the Judiciary Committee’s internal dynamics. That conservative opposition places in doubt the future of Ozerden, who is a close friend of acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and whose nomination Mulvaney pushed over the objections of the White House Counsel's office.

WASHINGTON (CN) – A Mississippi federal judge up for a seat on the Fifth Circuit faced tough questions from Republicans on Wednesday, as GOP senators and conservative legal advocacy groups have expressed rare skepticism about one of President Donald Trump’s nominees to a federal appellate court. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Great Hall. “For a lifetime appointment on the court of appeals, what I think we should be looking for is a demonstrated record as a constitutionalist,” Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden on Wednesday. “As I look at your judicial record, and I’ve asked you...