President Donald Trump has nominated Chad Meredith to serve as a federal judge for Eastern Kentucky.

It's a name we've heard before.

Meredith served as Kentucky's solicitor general during the Matt Bevin administration.

This is a video of him as a guest on Wkyt Kentucky Tonight on June 10th, 2024.

In 2022, President Joe Biden considered Meredith for a judgeship, a move backed by U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell in what some called a deal between Biden and McConnell.

Democrats opposed Meredith because of his anti-abortion record.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky also opposed that deal, and President Biden never nominated Meredith on social media.

President Trump said this about his decision to nominate Meredith.

Now, quote, Chad is highly experienced and well qualified.

Chad is a courageous patriot who knows what is required to uphold the rule of law and protect our Constitution.

Now, Senator McConnell of Kentucky praised the nomination.

He said, quote, Chad Meredith is a bright lawyer with a stellar resume and a distinguished record of public service, including previous service as Kentucky's solicitor general.

His demonstrated devotion to the rule of law and the Constitution will serve the people of Kentucky well on the federal bench.

I look forward to the Senate confirming his nomination and quote.

Now, the Kentucky Democratic Party has a different take on this.

Spokesperson Nat Turner criticized Meredith, saying he played a role in the last minute pardons during the Bevin administration.

Here's part of that statement.

He said Chad Meredith has no business being on the federal bench after helping orchestrate pardons of murderers and child rapists.

The families of the victims deserve better.

Kentucky deserves better.

End quote.

U.S.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky says he backs that.

Chad Meredith nomination after opposing it in 2022.