Reggie Walton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reggie Walton
Walton in 2021
Presiding Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
In office February 22, 2013 – May 19, 2014
Preceded by	John D. Bates
Succeeded by	Thomas F. Hogan
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
In office May 19, 2007 – May 19, 2014
Appointed by	John Roberts
Preceded by	Claude M. Hilton
Succeeded by	James Boasberg
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Incumbent
Assumed office December 31, 2015
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office October 29, 2001 – December 31, 2015
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Stanley Sporkin
Succeeded by	Dabney L. Friedrich
Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
In office 1991–2001
Appointed by	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Sylvia Bacon
Succeeded by	Robert Rigsby
In office 1981–1989
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Leonard Braman
Succeeded by	Zinora Mitchell
Personal details
Born	Reggie Barnett Walton (1949-02-08) February 8, 1949 (age 76) North Charleroi, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Education	West Virginia State University (BA) American University (JD)

Reggie Barnett Walton (born February 8, 1949) is an important American judge. He works as a senior federal judge in Washington, D.C. He also used to be the main judge for a special court called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Early Life and Education

Reggie Walton grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania, where his dad worked hard in a steel factory. He earned a football scholarship to attend West Virginia State College. In 1971, he received his first degree. Later, in 1974, he earned a law degree from American University.

Career as a Judge

Walton served as a judge in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for many years, from 1981 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 2001. He also worked for the government in a role related to drug control policies.

Becoming a Federal Judge

In 2001, President George W. Bush chose him to become a federal judge. The United States Senate approved this choice, and he officially started his new job on September 24, 2001.

In 2007, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed him to a special court called the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). This court deals with important national security cases. His time on the FISA Court ended in 2014. In 2015, he became a "senior judge," which means he can work a reduced schedule.

During his time on the FISC, Judge Walton was very concerned about how the NSA (National Security Agency) handled people's private information. He felt they sometimes broke court rules.

People who know Judge Walton say he makes decisions based on what he believes is right for fighting crime. He is known for giving long sentences when he thinks it will stop future crimes. He's also known for being brave! One time, in 2005, he stopped an attacker who was hurting a taxi driver. He held the attacker until the police arrived.

Important Cases

Walton in his office

United States v. Libby

Judge Walton oversaw the trial of Scooter Libby, who used to work for Vice President Dick Cheney. Libby was found guilty of lying and blocking justice. Judge Walton sentenced Libby to prison and a fine. After this, Judge Walton received some threatening letters.

Rocket Fuel Case

Judge Walton also handled a case about rocket fuel. Two large hobby rocket groups argued that certain types of rocket fuel should not be considered "explosives" by the government. In 2009, Judge Walton agreed with the rocket groups.

United States v. Roger Clemens

Judge Walton was the judge for the trial of former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens. Clemens was accused of lying to Congress about using performance-enhancing substances. In 2011, the first trial ended without a decision because some evidence was shown that shouldn't have been. In a second trial in 2012, the jury found Roger Clemens not guilty.

Mueller Report Information

In 2019, Judge Walton looked into why parts of the Robert Mueller report were kept secret from the public. This report was about an investigation into Russian interference in elections.

In 2020, Judge Walton said that some public statements about the report were "misleading." He ordered the government to show him the full, unedited report so he could decide what information should be made public.

Later, when President Trump said he had declassified all documents related to the report, Judge Walton asked for a clear statement from the White House. He wanted to confirm if the President truly intended to make everything public.

See also

• List of African-American federal judges
• List of African-American jurists
• CIA leak grand jury investigation