President Obama Nominates First Muslim To Be Federal Judge

President Obama has nominated Washington, D.C., attorney Abid Riaz Qureshi to serve as a federal judge in D.C.'s district court, the first Muslim to be nominated for a spot on the federal bench.

“I am pleased to nominate Mr. Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench,” President Obama said in a White House statement. “I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”

Qureshi would serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the seat vacated by Judge Rosemary M. Collyer. D.C.'s district court is considered one of the most influential federal courts in the country.

Qureshi's nomination, though, must be approved by a Republican-controlled Senate that has signaled its intent not to confirm any of Obama's court nominations until after this year's presidential election. That includes Obama's pick of Merrick Garland for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has operated for nearly seven months with only eight justices following the death of Antonin Scalia in February.

But Obama's pick of Qureshi is still symbolic.

“I commend President Obama for taking this important step in continuing to pick the best and brightest from every community to serve as part of our nation’s judiciary,” Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates, said in a statement. “A judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our nation helps ensure the fair and just administration of the law, and it is vital for American Muslims to be included. Mr. Qureshi’s profound commitment to the rule of law and justice for people of all backgrounds makes him an exceptional nominee.”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, whose policy proposals include a blanket ban on Muslims entering the United States, has said that he doesn't think a Muslim judge would treat him fairly.

Trump took flak earlier in the election season for saying that Gonzalo Curiel, a U.S. district judge born in Indiana and of Mexican heritage, would have a bias against Trump because of Trump's plan to build a wall on America's southern border.

When asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" if he thought a Muslim judge would also be biased against him, Trump said, “It’s possible, yes. That would be possible, absolutely.”

Image via White House, Flickr