While the focus of today’s confirmation vote is on Mike Huckabee and his endorsement of the most radical elements of the Israeli far right, Americans should be equally concerned that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced the nomination of Reed Rubinstein as Legal Advisor to the State Department. 

As a Senior Vice President in Steven Miller’s organization, America First Legal, he spent the last four years pursuing lawsuits designed to shut down free speech and attack President Trump’s opponents. 

A Senate confirmation of Rubinstein as State Department’s Legal Advisor would position him to provide binding legal advice on visa applications and current visa holders as the government currently deports those who exercise their rights under the Constitution to express free speech. 

Rubinstein would also lead in the interpretation of international law as it applies to U.S. security assistance and arms transfers, and his decisions would have wide-ranging effects not only in the context of Israel’s violations of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza and the West Bank, but for any and all partners with poor human rights record who are recipients of U.S. weapons. 

The Senate should reject both Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Rubinstein, whose positions do not align with American values, and whose actions in office, should they be confirmed, are likely to further undermine America’s interests around the world and here at home.