Minnesota Congressmen applaud Trump judicial nomination

U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN) praised President Donald Trump’s nomination of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

Stras was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2010. Earlier in his career he served as a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and is “one of the nation’s premier legal minds” when it comes to federal courts, constitutional law and the limited role of the judiciary, Emmer said.

“His originalist and textualist approach to the Constitution, and his sharp legal aptitude will undoubtedly serve the Eighth Circuit well for decades to come,” Emmer said. “I firmly believe that Justice Stras will serve as a strong defender of the Constitution on the 8th Circuit, and I was pleased to support his nomination not only for a position on the Court of Appeals, but also for consideration as a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Stras previously clerked for the 4th Circuit and 9th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, and is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.

“As one of Minnesota’s foremost legal minds with outstanding credentials, Justice Stras is most deserving of this nomination,” Paulsen said. “Throughout his career in both the classroom and the courtroom, Justice Stras has displayed a thoughtful, fair-minded approach to the law that has been reflected during his tenure on the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Third District of Minnesota is proud to have one of its own nominated to the bench.”

With his nomination of Stras, Emmer added that he was pleased to see the Trump administration uphold its constitutional commitment to the country and the 8th Circuit.