DOJ Head Who Drafted Drone Memos Gets Senate Nod For Appeals Court Judgeship

David Barron, a Harvard law professor and former Justice Department official who helped craft the Obama administration’s legal rationale for drone killings of suspected American terrorists abroad, won preliminary Senate approval to become a federal appeals court judge today. The 52-43 vote cleared the way for a final confirmation vote May 22. Obama nominated Barron last September to join the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Boston.