President Trump announces key judicial nominees for Missouri and D.C. courts, continuing his legacy of reshaping the federal judiciary despite a slower start in his second term.
At a Glance
- Trump has nominated five new judges, including four for federal district courts in Missouri and one for D.C.’s Superior Court
- Joshua Divine, who clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas, and former prosecutor Edward Aloysius O’Connell are among the notable nominees
- The pace of nominations is slower than Trump’s first term, mainly due to fewer vacancies
- During his first term, Trump appointed 226 federal judges, including 54 to appellate courts, significantly transforming the judiciary
- Senator Josh Hawley has expressed support for the nominees and urged swift confirmation
Trump’s Latest Judicial Nominations
President Donald Trump has announced five new judicial appointments, continuing his commitment to reshaping the federal judiciary. The nominees include Zachary Bluestone, Joshua Divine, Maria Lanahan, and Cristian Stevents for federal district court positions in Missouri, along with Edward Aloysius O’Connell for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. This announcement follows Trump’s nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last week, marking his first federal court nomination of his second term.
Among the nominees, Joshua Divine brings impressive credentials, having clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and served as chief counsel to Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. Edward Aloysius O’Connell, nominated for the D.C. Superior Court, previously worked as a prosecutor for the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington. In his announcement, Trump emphasized that O’Connell would help address violent crime in the capital by “restoring the rule of law.”
Slower Pace than First Term
The current nomination pace represents a slower start compared to Trump’s first term, primarily due to fewer judicial vacancies. During his first term, Justice Neil Gorsuch had already been confirmed to the Supreme Court by this point, and Trump had secured approval for a federal judge by late May. In contrast, President Biden had nominated his first batch of judges and secured seven confirmations by June 2021.
“Judges protect what we value most in society. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, or who you love, we all deserve judges who can be fair and impartial. That’s why protecting our courts needs to be a two-party job. Democrats and Republicans alike owe it to the American people to ensure that the federal courts remain an impartial institution administering ‘equal justice for all,’ not just the wealthy and the powerful.”, said Sharon McGowan.
Despite the current slower pace, Senator Josh Hawley has urged the Trump administration to expedite filling judicial vacancies, particularly in Missouri. Hawley has expressed optimism about the nominees’ confirmation prospects, highlighting the strategic importance of these judicial appointments for the federal court system.
Trump’s Judicial Legacy
Trump’s judicial appointments during his first term represent one of his most significant achievements. By 2019, his administration had more than doubled the number of judges confirmed to federal appeals courts compared to his predecessors, confirming judges at a historic pace. Five of the 12 circuit courts had over 25% of judges appointed by Trump, with the 8th Circuit experiencing the most significant transformation.
In total, Trump appointed 226 federal judges during his first term, just slightly fewer than President Biden’s 228. However, Trump appointed more judges to the influential courts of appeals than Biden, with 54 compared to Biden’s 45. These appellate courts often serve as the final arbiters in legal cases, as the Supreme Court hears only a small percentage of cases appealed to it.
Many of Trump’s judicial nominees have been affiliated with the Federalist Society, which has grown into a network of 75,000 people and has been influential in shaping the judiciary. This conservative legal organization has played a crucial role in identifying qualified candidates who adhere to originalist and textualist interpretations of the Constitution.
The Importance of Judicial Appointments
Judicial appointments represent a primary avenue for Trump to advance his agenda and secure a lasting legacy. During his first term, this became especially critical after Democrats gained control of the House, limiting legislative opportunities. With circuit judges serving lifetime appointments, these nominations will influence American jurisprudence for decades to come.
Republicans, who currently hold 53 Senate seats, are likely to continue prioritizing judicial confirmations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made this a key focus, recognizing the long-term impact of reshaping the federal judiciary. As the confirmation process moves forward for these new nominees, they represent the continuation of Trump’s significant influence on America’s courts.
