Republican Senator Steve Daines from Montana has blocked the nomination of Danna Jackson as the state’s first Native American federal district court judge. Jackson, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was nominated by President Joe Biden last month. Senator Daines cited lack of consultation by the administration as the reason for his opposition to her nomination, stating that confirming federal judges is a crucial decision that requires trust that they will not legislate from the bench. However, a White House spokesperson refuted this claim, stating that Daines’ team had interviewed Jackson last year but the senator refused to meet with her.
The lack of diversity among federal judges, with the overwhelming majority being white men, has been a concern highlighted by the American Bar Association. Out of over 1,400 federal judges, only four were Native American and two others identified as partially Native, making up less than 1% of federal judges while Native Americans comprise almost 3% of the U.S. population. Jackson, who has a background as an attorney in the U.S. Department of Interior and as chief legal counsel for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, was seen as a qualified candidate for the position. Her nomination was supported by Montana’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Jon Tester, and representatives of Native American organizations.
The decision to block Jackson’s nomination has raised criticism and accusations of using lack of consultation as a pretext to deny her candidacy. Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates expressed disappointment in Senator Daines’ actions, stating that Jackson is a principled, fair, and impartial jurist whose talents are being deprived from serving in the federal court. Despite the opposition, there was support for Jackson’s nomination from various quarters, including Senator Tester and Native American advocacy groups. Jackson’s experience and background were seen as valuable assets for the role of a federal district court judge.
The confirmation of federal judges has been a significant aspect of President Biden’s tenure, with the recent confirmation of the 200th federal judge occurring earlier than the mark reached by former President Donald Trump in his term. The role of federal judges with lifetime tenure in interpreting and upholding the law is crucial, and the diversity of the judiciary has been a topic of discussion. The blocking of Jackson’s nomination by Senator Daines highlights the challenges faced in diversifying the federal bench and the importance of ensuring fair representation in the judiciary. Jackson has yet to respond to the blocking of her nomination, but her credentials and support from various stakeholders indicate that she was a promising candidate for the position.
