Senate confirms Bush nominee who fought tribes

Monday, July 16, 2007  

A week after losing a land-into-trust cas, attorney Robert Jonker was confirmed to a lifelong judgeship in Michigan.

Jonker represented anti-gaming interests in several cases. He lost all of them, with the most recent one on July 3, when the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a land acquisition for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians.

On July 7, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Jonker's nomination for a judgeship in the U.S. District Court for Western Michigan. On July 9, he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate.

Michigan tribes opposed Jonker, citing his anti-tribal litigation. He has said he will be able to hear cases fairly.

Get the Story:
Michigan District Court judge's appointment opposed (Indian Country Today 7/16)

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