President Donald Trump’s administration is accelerating the confirmation process for a slate of 13 federal judges as the 2026 midterm elections approach. With the Republican‑led Senate holding a narrow 53‑47 majority, the White House wants to lock in as many appointments as possible before voters decide whether control will shift.
Judicial hearing schedule
Six of the nominees will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, joining five others already pending before the full Senate. The nominees include Zach West, praised by conservative legal activists for defending abortion restrictions in Oklahoma, and Arkansas‑based Judge Lee Rudofsky, whose elevation to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals would give Trump appointees a majority on that court.
Midterm stakes
If Democrats win the Senate in the November 3 elections, the ability to confirm additional judges could disappear once the new Congress convenes. “You always go into this with the fear of losing the Senate,” said Robert Luther, a George Mason University law professor who worked on judicial nominations during Trump’s first term.
Impact of Trump’s judicial legacy
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has secured confirmation of another 54 judges, bringing his total to nearly one‑third of the federal bench. His appointees have helped shape a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which has since limited abortion access, curtailed affirmative‑action programs, expanded gun rights, and supported Republican‑led redistricting efforts.
While some of Trump’s judges have ruled against his administration, the president remains focused on placing young, ideologically aligned jurists—many in their late 30s or early 40s—who could serve for decades. The White House spokesperson Lauren Bis emphasized that the nominees were selected for their qualifications and respect for the Constitution.
Political context
The push mirrors similar pressures faced by former President Joe Biden ahead of the 2022 midterms, when Democrats retained Senate control and finished the term with 235 confirmed judges, one more than Trump confirmed in his first term.
Senate Democrats have criticized the second‑term slate for emphasizing loyalty, noting that nominees avoided directly stating that Trump lost the 2020 election, instead referring to President Biden as the “certified” victor. The administration, however, maintains that the nominees are vetted through a rigorous process and are ready for swift confirmation.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
