Obama names first judge, and more

last updated 8 January 2015

Obama names first judge

President Obama this week announced his first judicial nomination, tapping federal District Judge David Hamilton to serve on the appeals court in Chicago. Hamilton, who served as counsel to Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh, has the backing of Indiana Republican Sen. Richard Lugar. But conservative groups vowed to oppose his nomination, citing his "extreme'' ruling that Indiana's legislature couldn't open sessions by saying overtly Christian prayers.

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