Indian-American Neomi Rao sworn in as judge of powerful US court

March 21, 2019 10:46

Neomi Jehangir Rao, a prominent Indian-American lawyer, has been sworn in as United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, becoming the second from the community to be a part of the powerful court considered next only to the US Supreme Court.

Rao, 45, was sworn in by US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Tuesday. She will replace US Supreme Court Judge Justice Brett Kavanaugh who was nominated by President Donald Trump for the top post.

Before being sworn in as the US Supreme Court Judge, Kavanaugh, whose confirmation process was marred by sexual misconduct allegations, was a judge at the United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Joined by her husband Alan Lefkowitz, Rao took the oath on the Bible.

According to a White House schedule, Trump participated in the swearing-in ceremony.

Born in Detroit to Parsi physicians from India -- Zerin Rao and Jehangir Narioshang -- Rao is the second Indian-American after Sri Srinivasan to be part of the powerful court said to be next only to the US Supreme Court.

Srinivasan was appointed during the previous Obama regime.

Nominated by President Trump during Diwali celebrations last November, Rao was confirmed by the Senate last week by 53-46 votes.

"She is going to be fantastic. Great person," Trump had said about his nominee.

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