Garland is currently serving as chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Described by President Obama as 'one of America's sharpest legal minds', Garland has kept a relatively low public profile throughout his career but gained the regard of the legal community in 1995 when he spearheaded the prosecution of Oklahoma City bombers Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.
'I have chosen a serious man and an exemplary judge,' said President Obama at a ceremony yesterday in the Rose Garden. As a broadly progressive justice who has generally steered clear of controversial positions, Garland will sit in stark contrast to his predecessor, the late Antonin Scalia, if he ascends to the nation's highest bench. A constitutional originalist and staunch conservative, Scalia was credited as one of the most colourful and outspoken Supreme Court justices and generally positioned himself against progressive causes like abortion and same-sex marriage.
By way of contrast, Garland is generally viewed as a moderate, centrist liberal—a reputation that has drawn criticism from those further left on the political spectrum, but may give him a fighting shot for winning approval from the Republican-controlled Senate. His confirmation to the DC Circuit Court in 1997 was supported by both Republicans and Democrats, and President Obama made no delay in strategically drawing attention to Garland's bipartisan credentials in the Senate.
'Over my seven years as president, in all my conversations with senators from both parties, in which I asked their views on Supreme Court nominees ... the one name that has come up repeatedly, from Democrats and Republicans alike, is Merrick Garland,' said President Obama of his nomination decision.
Sources: National Law Journal; The Guardian
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