Credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr
President Donald Trump has officially kicked off his next historic reshaping of the federal judiciary, announcing the first wave of six powerhouse judicial nominations to fill the current 46 lifetime vacancies on the bench.
During his first term, President Trump transformed the judiciary with 245 federal appointments—including three Supreme Court justices—and now, he’s on track to do it again.
According to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, there are currently:
6 vacancies in the U.S. Courts of Appeals
40 vacancies in the U.S. District Courts
15 more vacancies pending as judges have announced their retirement
Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s first six judicial nominees:
Whitney Hermandorfer — 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
Trump called Hermandorfer “a Fighter who will inspire confidence in our Legal System,” noting her experience defending citizens in Tennessee from federal overreach and her roots as a student-athlete at Princeton.
Trump: “I am pleased to announce the nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer to serve as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Whitney has been serving the Great People of Tennessee, in the Attorney General’s Office, where she has strongly litigated in Court to protect Citizens from Federal Government Overreach. A former Co-Captain of the Princeton University Women’s Basketball Team, Whitney is a staunch defender of Girls’ and Women’s Sports. She has a long history of working for Judges and Justices who respect the RULE OF LAW, and protect our Constitution, including Justice Samuel Alito and two fine Supreme Court Justices I appointed in my First Term. Whitney is a Fighter who will inspire confidence in our Legal System. Thank you Whitney!”
Joshua M. Divine — U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri
A former Solicitor General of Missouri and Chief Counsel to Senator Josh Hawley, Divine is a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, known for his fierce defense of constitutional liberties.
Trump: “It is my honor to nominate Joshua Divine to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri. Joshua has devoutly served the Great State of Missouri, as the State’s Solicitor General and, previously, as Chief Counsel to Senator Josh Hawley, a true Patriot. A former Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Joshua knows what is required to protect the Rule of Law and Constitutional Rights for the Great People of Missouri. We must have Constitutionalist Judges now, more than EVER BEFORE. Congratulations Joshua!”
Zachary Bluestone — U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Bluestone, a seasoned violent crimes prosecutor and Appellate Chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis, has Ivy League credentials and a reputation for tenacity in the courtroom. Trump praised him as “a True Legal Warrior” and “dedicated to Law and Order.”
Trump: “I am proud to announce my nomination of Zachary Bluestone to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Zack is a True Legal Warrior. He is currently Appellate Chief and Violent Crimes Prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office in St. Louis, and has spent his career putting terrible, violent Criminals behind bars, and defending our Constitution. Zack is a former Deputy Solicitor General, with degrees from Georgetown, Oxford, and Harvard. He is tough, smart, and LOVES our Great Country. I know Zack will be a phenomenal Judge dedicated to Law and Order. Congratulations Zack!”
Maria Lanahan — U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Currently Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Lanahan was described by Trump as “a very Smart and Talented Lawyer” with a competitive edge, hailing from Gonzaga and the University of Chicago.
Trump: “I am honored to nominate Maria Lanahan to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Maria is a true Patriot, who currently serves as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General in Missouri, handling many High Stakes Cases. Maria has degrees from Gonzaga (where, I am told, she was also an incredible Athlete!), and the University of Chicago, one of the best Law Schools in the World. Maria is a very Smart and Talented Lawyer, and will do GREAT work in this new role. Congratulations Maria!”
Cristian Stevens — U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Stevens, already serving as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, brings experience from multiple senior legal posts, including Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Attorney General of Missouri.
Trump: “I am pleased to nominate Cristian Stevens, a Great Patriot, to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Cristian is currently a Judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, previously serving as First Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the Criminal Division of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and also as Assistant U.S. Attorney in St. Louis, taking on Violent Criminals, and protecting the Rule of Law. Missouri will be very safe with Cristian in the District Court. Thank you Cristian, and congratulations!”
Edward Aloysius O’Connell — Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Known as a “Tough on Crime Prosecutor,” O’Connell spent nearly 20 years prosecuting homicide, gang violence, and narcotics in the nation’s capital.
Trump: “I am proud to nominate Edward Aloysius O’Connell to serve as Associate Judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Eddie will help fix Violent Crime in the City by restoring the RULE OF LAW to Washington, D.C. Eddie served for nearly two decades as a Tough on Crime Prosecutor for the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, where he prosecuted many Horrific Crimes, including Homicides, Domestic Violence, Organized Crime, Narcotics Offenses, and more. D.C. could, and should, be a wonderful place, if political hacks would stop making such terrible decisions. I know Eddie will help make everyone much safer. Congratulations Eddie!”
These six picks are just the beginning. With 46 vacancies to fill and 12 more retirements expected soon, President Trump is set to remake the federal judiciary in his image—bold, unwavering, and rooted in the Constitution—if all goes as planned.
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