A Conservative Judicial Star Faces a Right-Wing Litmus Test

In less than a year and a half since being appointed to the federal appeals court in Washington, Judge Neomi Rao has consistently sided with the White House in politically charged cases, earning her a reputation as President Trump’s strongest supporter on the bench and fueling talk that he may name her to the Supreme Court if he gets the chance. Two of the nine justices on the high court, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, were nominated by Trump. The health problems of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have liberals worried about him possibly getting to pick a third.

If Rao were to get that nod, Democrats would be incensed. But her biggest obstacle may be emerging on the right.