Trump’s 7th Circuit Nominee Faces Rare Conservative Backlash: Taibleson Responds
President Donald Trump’s latest judicial pick for the influential 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is under fire from an unlikely source—conservative advocacy groups. Rebecca Taibleson, a seasoned federal prosecutor, addressed the criticism head-on during her Senate confirmation hearing, defending her credentials as a staunch conservative.
Hearing Highlights: Taibleson Tackles the Critics
Rebecca Taibleson appeared before the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee on September 17, 2025, to defend her nomination to the Chicago-based 7th Circuit. The court covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, handling key cases on civil rights, labor, and environmental law.
Taibleson, a Wisconsin assistant U.S. attorney, emphasized her “conservative values” shaped by clerkships with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh. She testified in support of Kavanaugh’s 2018 Supreme Court confirmation amid sexual assault allegations and served in the Trump Justice Department as an assistant to the solicitor general.
Facing pointed questions from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Taibleson invoked conservative activist Charlie Kirk—assassinated just days earlier—saying she was “raised in the best tradition of Charlie Kirk.” She highlighted her and her husband’s policy debates, assuring senators she would rule like her conservative mentors.
The White House reaffirmed support, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stating Trump selects nominees who “uphold our Constitution and the rule of law.”
Background: A Solid Resume Meets Skeptical Allies
Trump nominated Taibleson in August 2025 to fill the vacancy created by Judge Diane Sykes’ upcoming senior status. The pick followed recommendations from Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D), with Johnson praising her as an “excellent choice” on X.
Her career boasts conservative hallmarks: prosecuting federal cases in Milwaukee, clerking for Scalia (known for originalist jurisprudence), and defending Kavanaugh. Yet, this is Trump’s sixth appeals court nominee in his second term, building on 56 confirmed during his first.
The 7th Circuit, already leaning conservative with several Trump appointees, influences Midwest policy on issues like gun rights and abortion.
Conservative Opposition: Questions of ‘Boldness’
Unusually, over two dozen right-wing groups—including the Family Research Council, First Liberty Institute, and Gun Owners of America—opposed Taibleson in a joint Monday statement. They claimed her record lacks the “bold or fearless” edge needed to combat “woke” threats, alleging confirmation would “damage the legacy of President Trump.”
Council for National Policy President Ken Blackwell penned an op-ed criticizing her as untested on core issues like religious liberty and Second Amendment rights. The groups argued her DOJ role was too bureaucratic, downplaying her Scalia and Kavanaugh ties.
Defenders pushed back. Conservative commentator John Fragoso’s Tuesday op-ed lauded her Kavanaugh defense and Trump-era service, calling Blackwell’s attacks misrepresentations. Sen. Cruz noted endorsements from “multiple conservatives who I respect deeply,” giving her a platform to respond.
This intra-conservative rift echoes rare past tensions, like 2019 GOP pushback against Trump’s 5th Circuit pick, but marks the first such skepticism for Trump’s 2025 judicial slate.
Broader Reactions: Senate Stands Firm
Senate Republicans rallied behind Taibleson, advancing her nomination on party lines despite the uproar. Democrats, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), questioned her impartiality but focused less on ideology.
Public discourse on X highlighted divisions, with users debating her “conservative purity.” Conservative outlets like Breitbart amplified the groups’ concerns, while mainstream media portrayed it as a test of Trump’s judicial influence.
Experts view the backlash as fringe; the Federalist Society, a key vetter, has not opposed her.
Impacts on U.S. Judiciary and Politics
For Americans, this nomination battle underscores the high stakes in federal courts, which shape everything from voting rights to corporate regulations. A Taibleson confirmation would solidify conservative control on the 7th Circuit, potentially accelerating challenges to Biden-era policies on climate and labor.
Politically, it tests Trump’s “America First” judicial legacy amid midterm pressures. Economically, a divided right could slow confirmations, delaying rulings on business disputes in the industrial Midwest. For everyday citizens, it highlights how ideology influences access to justice, from workplace discrimination cases to environmental protections.
Outlook: Confirmation Likely Despite Drama
Taibleson’s hearing quelled some doubts, positioning her for Senate approval soon. With Republicans holding the majority, the opposition appears more symbolic than substantive.
This episode reveals fractures in the conservative coalition but reinforces Trump’s dominance in judicial picks. As his second term progresses, expect more nominees to navigate such scrutiny, ensuring a lasting rightward shift in America’s courts.