Chief Justice John G. Roberts this week deviated from his pattern of naming Republican-appointed judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by installing a Democrat. Judge José A. Cabranes, who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Bill Clinton, is considered one of the more conservative-leaning Democratic judges when it comes to security issues. His appointment to the secret court, announced this week, comes as some lawmakers push for changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which gives the chief justice unilateral power to name the 11-member court and its three-member review panel. Cabranes will serve on the court until 2020.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.