Senate Confirms Federal Judge Who Compared Abortion to Slavery

On Thursday, the Senate confirmed John Bush, a lawyer nominated by President Trump, to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to be a lifetime federal judge. Bush’s confirmation was controversial because of blog posts he published under a pseudonym, in which Bush compared abortion to slavery and also criticized LGBT rights.

In one blog post, Bush equated the decisions in the Dred Scott v. Sandford and Roe v. Wade cases, writing that “slavery and abortion” are the “two greatest tragedies in our country. At his hearing, Bush expressed regret for the post and stated that he would uphold and respect Roe.

“Blogging is a political activity,” Bush said during his confirmation hearing. “It is not appropriate to bring politics to the bench, and if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I will not bring politics to the bench.”

But his violent view of abortion rights is concerning to women’s rights advocates nonetheless. Bush’s claims of respect for Roe are, after all, are no guarantee that as a federal judge, he won’t support support abortion restrictions that make the procedure difficult to access, or damage women’s health in other ways.

NARAL Pro-Choice America has called Bush “dangerous” and “unqualified.”

“John Bush’s record and his shady anonymous blogging make it clear that he was chosen by Trump to appease fringe elements of his base, individuals who share his agenda to roll back the rights of working people, women, and the LGBTQ community,” the pro-reproductive rights group said in a statement.

Bush’s controversial online writings did not stop with likening abortion to slavery. He used the homophobic slur “nanny” in reference to former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, spread birther claims about former President Obama, argued against admitting women into military academies, opposed marriage equality, and voiced support for voter ID laws that disproportionately bar people of color from being able to vote. All of these writings hint at Bush’s hostility to the LGBT community, minorities, and gender equality.

While Democrats opposed Bush’s appointment, all Republicans except Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was not present, confirmed Bush.

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