[2] Rushing studied music at Wake Forest University, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, and was in Phi Beta Kappa.

[3][4] In 2005, Rushing was a law student intern at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative Christian nonprofit organization.

[7] After graduating from law school, Rushing clerked for then-Judge Neil Gorsuch of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit from 2007 to 2008 and Judge David B. Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2008 to 2009.

[10][11][12] Following the end of her clerkship in 2011, Rushing rejoined Williams & Connolly in its Washington, D.C. office under Kannon Shanmugam.

[17] She was nominated to the seat being vacated by Allyson K. Duncan, who previously announced her intention to assume senior status upon the confirmation of her successor.

"[6] On January 3, 2019, her nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.

[26][27] On September 9, 2020, President Trump named Rushing as a potential choice to fill a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy if one should open.