Trump picks Texas Supreme Court justice, former solicitor general for U.S appellate court

Don Willett, left, is sworn in to the state Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Perry, right, as Tiffany Willett, center, Don Willett's wife, holds the Bible at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Monday, Nov. 21, 2005. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Rodolfo Gonzalez) less Don Willett, left, is sworn in to the state Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Perry, right, as Tiffany Willett, center, Don Willett's wife, holds the Bible at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Monday, Nov. 21, ... more Photo: RODOLFO GONZALEZ, MBR / AP Photo: RODOLFO GONZALEZ, MBR / AP Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Trump picks Texas Supreme Court justice, former solicitor general for U.S appellate court 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — President Trump on Thursday will nominate two conservatives from Texas with compelling personal stories to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, according to a senior administrative official.

Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett was cited by Trump as a potential U.S. Supreme court pick during his presidential campaign. Dallas appellate lawyer James Ho is a former Texas solicitor general who has argued cases before state and federal courts.

Willett — a prolific Twitter user whose wit with more than 96,000 followers and the title of Texas “Tweeter Laureate” —had gently mocked Trump in some tweets during the campaign for the White House.

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Among them was a haiku suggesting the thought of Trump’s potential U.S. Supreme Court picks would make one weep. But when President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the nation’s highest court, Willett tweeted that he was a “superb jurist.”

Willett often praises his mother, who supported the family by waiting tables at a truck stop after his father died when Willett was 6 years old. Willett graduated from Baylor University, then received his law degree and a master’s degree in political science from Duke.

He worked for George W. Bush in the governor’s office and in the White House, then worked for then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the state’s governor. He initially was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court by then-Gov. Rick Perry, and since has been re-elected.

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Ho, a naturalized U.S. citizen, moved to this country with his family from Taiwan when he was a young child. He received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and his law degree from the University of Chicago School of Law.

A former state solicitor general, Ho also clerked for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; helped lead the civil rights division of the Justice Department under George W. Bush; and has a reputation as a big gun in his private appellate practice.

Texas’ senators, both Republicans, had high praise for the nominees.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said he is “thrilled” that Trump chose the two, saying in an interview that both are “close friends who I’ve known for decades” and “judicial stars.” He said he hoped they would be quickly confirmed.

“Both are principled, smart and deeply devoted to the Constitution,” Cruz said. “The one commitment I asked from each of them upon informing them of their nomination was a promise that they would always, always, always be faithful to the law and the Constitution.”

U.S. Sen John Cornyn said the two are “exceptional legal minds who will faithfully interpret the law, not rewrite it…. I was proud to join Senator Cruz in recommending both candidates and I look forward to building support among my colleagues for their nominations.”

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Gov. Abbott, noting he had worked with both men when he was attorney general, called them “outstanding choices” and said he “can attest to their brilliance as lawyers and their unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law. I look forward to their swift approval by the U.S. Senate and to their service on the 5th Circuit, where I know they will uphold the Constitution.”

Leonard Leo, adviser to Trump on judges, said Willett in particular shows Trump’s “commitment to picking judges who have a record of excellence and a commitment to a judicial role that is impartial rather than committed to a particular personal or legal agenda.”

pfikac@express-news.net | Twitter: @pfikac