Neil Gorsuch on Federalist Society
TL;DR
Neil Gorsuch is a prominent speaker and member whose confirmation validated the organization's influence on the Supreme Court.
Key Points
He was the featured banquet speaker at an annual conference of Florida Federalist Society chapters in February 2022, with the address closed to the press.
He celebrated his confirmation as proof that an originalist and textualist judge can be confirmed to the Supreme Court during a 2017 Federalist Society convention speech.
He wrote a review in the Federalist Society Review that showcased his commitment to judicial principles like civility, courage, and humility, alongside his views on textualism.
Summary
Neil Gorsuch has actively engaged with the Federalist Society, including delivering a featured speech at the organization's annual convention following his Supreme Court confirmation. His appearance was met with a standing ovation, and in his remarks, he explicitly stated that his confirmation demonstrated that one can be both a publicly committed originalist and textualist and still secure a seat on the Supreme Court. This participation highlights his alignment with the conservative legal thought pillars championed by the group, which seeks to foster community among conservative and libertarian lawyers.
The Federalist Society's influence, particularly on judicial nominations during the administration that appointed Gorsuch, is a major point of context for his association. The organization, often through its executive vice president, played a key role in vetting and recommending candidates for federal judgeships, including for the Supreme Court seat Gorsuch ultimately filled. While critics accuse the group of outsourcing the selection process to an ideological entity, supporters view Gorsuch's elevation as proof that commitment to the group's jurisprudential philosophy is no longer a barrier to the highest court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neil Gorsuch is closely associated with the Federalist Society, viewing it as an organization that supports judges committed to originalism and textualism. He has actively spoken at their events, which signals his positive regard for the group and its mission in legal discourse.
The provided sources do not indicate that Neil Gorsuch has changed his stance; rather, they highlight his continued engagement and positive reinforcement of the group's judicial philosophy. His speeches to the organization have reinforced his commitment to their shared legal principles.
Neil Gorsuch stated that his confirmation to the Supreme Court proved that a publicly committed originalist and textualist could indeed be confirmed. He has also written for the organization's review, emphasizing judicial virtues like civility and humility.
Sources4
After Eight Years On The Sidelines, This Conservative Group Is Primed To Reshape The Courts Under Trump
Grilling Gorsuch and fearing the Federalist Society
Surprise! Neil Gorsuch's Federalist Society Address Is Closed to the Press
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.