Texas Religious Conservative Among 21 Judicial Picks Renominated by Trump

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday renominated 21 judicial picks opposed by Democrats, including a Texan whose critics view him as an extremist because of his stance against same-sex marriage.Trump nominated Matthew Kacsmaryk on Sept. 7 for a vacancy in the Northern District of Texas, but Democrats successfully stalled his selection by keeping him off the Senate’s unanimous consent list. That list allows nominations to automatically roll over into 2018. The move forced Trump to either renominate him or select someone new.Now, the process will start over for Kacsmaryk, deputy general counsel for the Plano-based First Liberty Institute, a conservative law firm focused on bringing forward religious liberty cases.Kacsmaryk is the second Trump court pick who has spent part of their career at First Liberty. Jeff Mateer, whose nomination died after remarks he made about gay and transgender people came to light, served as general counsel for the group.  Continue reading...