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President [[Donald Trump]] entered office with a significant number of judicial vacancies,<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/judicial-vacancies/archive-judicial-vacancies/2017/01/summary Vacancy Summary for January 2017, United States Courts]</ref> one of which included a [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] vacancy due to the death of [[Antonin Scalia]] in February 2016. Trump had announced around 50 judges by September 15, 2017, which was much more than that of any recent president at that point in their presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-judges-nominations-hearings-democrats-2017-9 |title='The dogma lives loudly within you': The battle over Trump's effort to remake the courts in his image is starting to heat up |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2017-09-15}}</ref> As of December 16, 2017, four of President Trump's judicial nominees have been rated Not Qualified by a majority of the [[American Bar Association|American Bar Association's]] Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary,<ref>https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/Web%20rating%20Chart%20Trump%20115.authcheckdam.pdf</ref> of which one has withdrawn,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/13/brett-talley-trump-nominee-withdraws-295322|title=Two Trump judge nominees out after criticism|publisher=}}</ref> and one has been confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/leonard-steven-grasz-trump-judicial-pick-not-qualified-okd-senate/|title=Leonard Steven Grasz, Trump judicial pick rated as "not qualified," OK'd by Senate|publisher=}}</ref> President Trump's percentage of judicial nominees rated Not Qualified by a majority of the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary is higher than in the previous four presidential administrations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-judicial-nominees-increase-in-aba-not-qualified-ratings-2017-11 |title=Trump is bypassing judicial ratings agencies before making his nominations — and it has led to a substantial increase in 'not qualified' nominees |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=November 15, 2017 |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
President [[Donald Trump]] entered office with a significant number of judicial vacancies,<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/judicial-vacancies/archive-judicial-vacancies/2017/01/summary Vacancy Summary for January 2017, United States Courts]</ref> one of which included a [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] vacancy due to the death of [[Antonin Scalia]] in February 2016. Trump had announced around 50 judges by September 15, 2017, which was much more than that of any recent president at that point in their presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-judges-nominations-hearings-democrats-2017-9 |title='The dogma lives loudly within you': The battle over Trump's effort to remake the courts in his image is starting to heat up |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2017-09-15}}</ref> As of December 16, 2017, four of President Trump's judicial nominees have been rated Not Qualified by a majority of the [[American Bar Association|American Bar Association's]] Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary,<ref>https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/Web%20rating%20Chart%20Trump%20115.authcheckdam.pdf</ref> of which one has withdrawn,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/13/brett-talley-trump-nominee-withdraws-295322|title=Two Trump judge nominees out after criticism|publisher=}}</ref> and one has been confirmed.<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/leonard-steven-grasz-trump-judicial-pick-not-qualified-okd-senate/|title=Leonard Steven Grasz, Trump judicial pick rated as "not qualified," OK'd by Senate|publisher=}}</ref> President Trump's percentage of judicial nominees rated Not Qualified by a majority of the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary is higher than in the previous four presidential administrations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-judicial-nominees-increase-in-aba-not-qualified-ratings-2017-11 |title=Trump is bypassing judicial ratings agencies before making his nominations — and it has led to a substantial increase in 'not qualified' nominees |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=November 15, 2017 |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>


==Supreme Court==
==Supreme Court==
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===Successfully appointed nominees===
===Successfully appointed nominees===
* [[United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit]]
* [[United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit]]
**[[John K. Bush]](of [[Kentucky]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate prominent Louisville lawyer Bush to the seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge Danny Julian Boggs who took senior status on February 28, 2017.<ref>{{https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/07/us/politics/trump-lower-court-nominees-conservatives.html}}</ref> His nomination became highly controversial when some of his writings on a blog site called ''Elephants in the Bluegrass'' became public. He wrote that legal abortion was equivilant to slavery, calling the two "The two greatest tragedies in our country." He quoted another person who referred to gay people as "faggots," denounced the claim of climate change, and ridiculed some prominent office holders, including Governor [[Matt Begin]] and U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz.]] He also he called the idea of trying terrorists in civilian courts “bone-headed.” Democrats and liberals claimed that he was both a partisan extremist and that he could not judge cases impartially. His defenders pointed out that he graduated from Harvard Law School with honors and was a highly successful lawyer with one of Kentucky's most prominent law firms. In testimony, Bush insisted that he would rule strictly on the basis of the law and Constitution and not let his personal views interfere with his duties, which his opponents were openly skeptical of. Even some Republican Senators were troubled by his blogging record, but reluctantly agreed to support him.<ref>{{https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/06/28/judicial-nominee-louisville-john-k-bush-ducks-questions-controversial-blog-posts/433160001/}}</ref> On July 19, 2017, the Senate voted in favor of cloture by a vote of 51-48<ref>{{https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00163}}</ref> and on July 20, 2017, the United States Senate voted 51-47 to confirm him<ref>{{https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00164}}</ref>, both votes breaking along party lines.
**[[John K. Bush]](of [[Kentucky]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate prominent Louisville lawyer Bush to the seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge Danny Julian Boggs who took senior status on February 28, 2017.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/07/us/politics/trump-lower-court-nominees-conservatives.html]</ref> His nomination became highly controversial when some of his writings on a blog site called ''Elephants in the Bluegrass'' became public. He wrote that legal abortion was equivalent to slavery, calling the two "The two greatest tragedies in our country." He quoted another person who referred to gay people as "faggots," denounced the claim of climate change, and ridiculed some prominent office holders, including Governor [[Matt Begin]] and U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz.]] He also he called the idea of trying terrorists in civilian courts “bone-headed.” Democrats and liberals claimed that he was both a partisan extremist and that he could not judge cases impartially. His defenders pointed out that he graduated from Harvard Law School with honors and was a highly successful lawyer with one of Kentucky's most prominent law firms. In testimony, Bush insisted that he would rule strictly on the basis of the law and Constitution and not let his personal views interfere with his duties, which his opponents were openly skeptical of. Even some Republican Senators were troubled by his blogging record, but reluctantly agreed to support him.<ref>[https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/06/28/judicial-nominee-louisville-john-k-bush-ducks-questions-controversial-blog-posts/433160001/]</ref> On July 19, 2017, the Senate voted in favor of cloture by a vote of 51-48<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00163]</ref> and on July 20, 2017, the United States Senate voted 51-47 to confirm him,<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00164]</ref> both votes breaking along party lines.

*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]]
**[[Amy Coney Barrett]] (of [[Indiana]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated law professor Barrett to serve as a [[United States circuit judge]] of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[John Daniel Tinder]], who took [[senior status]] on February 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Trump Names 10 Conservatives It Plans to Nominate to Federal Courts |date=May 8, 2017 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-judges-federal-courts-20170508-story.html |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> Liberals criticized the nomination, claiming she was a religious extremist and that she had insufficient courtroom experience for the position. During Barrett's hearing, she was questioned about her [[Catholic faith]] by U.S. Senators [[Dianne Feinstein]] and [[Dick Durbin]]. That line of questioning became controversial. On October 5, 2017, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on a party-line vote of 11–9 to recommend Barrett and report her nomination to the full Senate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Freking |first=Kevin |title=Committee Recommends Notre Dame Professor Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Judicial Bench |date=October 6, 2017 |work=[[South Bend Tribune]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/committee-recommends-notre-dame-professor-amy-coney-barrett-for-u/article_51bbb172-fb10-5f92-8a0b-eafe1e1371d1.html |access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> On October 30, 2017 the [[United States Senate|Senate]] invoked [[cloture]] by a vote of 54–42.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00254 U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session United States Senate Vote Summary: Vote Number 254, United States Senate, October 30, 2017]</ref> The [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmed her 55–43 on October 31, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bendery|first1=Jennifer|title=Senate Confirms Judicial Nominee Who Questioned Roe v. Wade Decision|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/amy-coney-barrett-abortion-rights-federal-judge_us_59f87abde4b0aec1467ac111|accessdate=November 16, 2017|work=HuffPost|date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>
**[[Amy Coney Barrett]] (of [[Indiana]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated law professor Barrett to serve as a [[United States circuit judge]] of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[John Daniel Tinder]], who took [[senior status]] on February 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Trump Names 10 Conservatives It Plans to Nominate to Federal Courts |date=May 8, 2017 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-judges-federal-courts-20170508-story.html |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> Liberals criticized the nomination, claiming she was a religious extremist and that she had insufficient courtroom experience for the position. During Barrett's hearing, she was questioned about her [[Catholic faith]] by U.S. Senators [[Dianne Feinstein]] and [[Dick Durbin]]. That line of questioning became controversial. On October 5, 2017, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on a party-line vote of 11–9 to recommend Barrett and report her nomination to the full Senate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Freking |first=Kevin |title=Committee Recommends Notre Dame Professor Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Judicial Bench |date=October 6, 2017 |work=[[South Bend Tribune]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/committee-recommends-notre-dame-professor-amy-coney-barrett-for-u/article_51bbb172-fb10-5f92-8a0b-eafe1e1371d1.html |access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> On October 30, 2017 the [[United States Senate|Senate]] invoked [[cloture]] by a vote of 54–42.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00254 U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session United States Senate Vote Summary: Vote Number 254, United States Senate, October 30, 2017]</ref> The [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmed her 55–43 on October 31, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bendery|first1=Jennifer|title=Senate Confirms Judicial Nominee Who Questioned Roe v. Wade Decision|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/amy-coney-barrett-abortion-rights-federal-judge_us_59f87abde4b0aec1467ac111|accessdate=November 16, 2017|work=HuffPost|date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>

*[[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]]
**[[Gregory G. Katsas]]: On September 7, President Donald Trump nominated Deputy White House Counsel Katsas to serve as a United States Circuit Judge to replace Judge [[Janice Rogers Brown]], who retired on August 31, 2017. Democrats immediately denounced the nomination. Their primary complaint was that Katsas was too closely tied to Trump personally and could not be relied upon to show judicial independence. Republicans defended his nomination by pointing out he received the highest rating from the American Bar Association, whom Democrats had upheld as the "gold standard" for rating a judge's fitness.<ref>{{https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/Web%20rating%20Chart%20Trump%20115.authcheckdam.pdf}}</ref> On October 17, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On November 9, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party-line 11-9 roll call vote.<ref>{{https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/11-9-17%20Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting.pdf}}</ref> On November 27, 2017, the United States Senate voted to invoke cloture by a vote of 52-48.<ref>{{https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00282}}</ref> On November 28, 2017, the Senate voted to confirm Katsas by a vote of 50-48.<ref>{{https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00283}}</ref>
**[[Gregory G. Katsas]]: On September 7, President Donald Trump nominated Deputy White House Counsel Katsas to serve as a United States Circuit Judge to replace Judge [[Janice Rogers Brown]], who retired on August 31, 2017. Democrats immediately denounced the nomination. Their primary complaint was that Katsas was too closely tied to Trump personally and could not be relied upon to show judicial independence. Republicans defended his nomination by pointing out he received the highest rating from the American Bar Association, whom Democrats had upheld as the "gold standard" for rating a judge's fitness.<ref>[https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/Web%20rating%20Chart%20Trump%20115.authcheckdam.pdf]</ref> On October 17, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On November 9, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party-line 11-9 roll call vote.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/11-9-17%20Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting.pdf]</ref> On November 27, 2017, the United States Senate voted to invoke cloture by a vote of 52-48.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00282]</ref> On November 28, 2017, the Senate voted to confirm Katsas by a vote of 50-48.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00283]</ref>

*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]]
**[[L. Steven Grasz]] (of [[Nebraska]]): On August 3, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Grasz to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[William J. Riley]], who assumed [[senior status]] on June 30, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/03/eighteen-nominations-sent-senate-today|title=Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today - The White House|publisher=}}</ref> In October 2017, the [[American Bar Association]]'s [[Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary]], a nonpartisan entity which rates judicial nominees, unanimously voted to give Grasz a "not qualified" rating for the position.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Min Kim|first1=Seung|title=ABA deems another Trump judicial nominee ‘not qualified’|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/aba-trump-judicial-nominee-not-qualified-244327|accessdate=30 October 2017|publisher=Politico|date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> Senator [[Ben Sasse]] (R-NE) criticized the ABA for their decision, defending Grasz and saying the ABA's rating was based on politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freebeacon.com/politics/ben-sasse-slams-committee-calling-trump-court-nominee-unqualified/|title=Sasse Slams Bar Association for Calling Trump Judicial Nominee ‘Not Qualified’|publisher=}}</ref> On December 7, 2017 his nomination was reported out of committee by a 11–9 vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2012-07-17.pdf|title=Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee|publisher=}}</ref> On December 11, 2017 the Senate voted 48–47 to invoke [[cloture]] on his nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00312|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov}}</ref> On December 12, 2017 the full [[United States Senate]] voted 50–48 in favor of confirmation; the vote was along party lines with Senators [[John McCain]] and [[Thad Cochran]] abstaining from the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/leonard-steven-grasz-trump-judicial-pick-not-qualified-okd-senate/|title=Leonard Steven Grasz, Trump judicial pick rated as "not qualified," OK'd by Senate|publisher=}}</ref>
**[[L. Steven Grasz]] (of [[Nebraska]]): On August 3, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Grasz to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[William J. Riley]], who assumed [[senior status]] on June 30, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/03/eighteen-nominations-sent-senate-today|title=Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today - The White House|publisher=}}</ref> In October 2017, the [[American Bar Association]]'s [[Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary]], a nonpartisan entity which rates judicial nominees, unanimously voted to give Grasz a "not qualified" rating for the position.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Min Kim|first1=Seung|title=ABA deems another Trump judicial nominee ‘not qualified’|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/aba-trump-judicial-nominee-not-qualified-244327|accessdate=30 October 2017|publisher=Politico|date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> Senator [[Ben Sasse]] (R-NE) criticized the ABA for their decision, defending Grasz and saying the ABA's rating was based on politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freebeacon.com/politics/ben-sasse-slams-committee-calling-trump-court-nominee-unqualified/|title=Sasse Slams Bar Association for Calling Trump Judicial Nominee ‘Not Qualified’|publisher=}}</ref> On December 7, 2017 his nomination was reported out of committee by a 11–9 vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2012-07-17.pdf|title=Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee|publisher=}}</ref> On December 11, 2017 the Senate voted 48–47 to invoke [[cloture]] on his nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00312|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov}}</ref> On December 12, 2017 the full [[United States Senate]] voted 50–48 in favor of confirmation; the vote was along party lines with Senators [[John McCain]] and [[Thad Cochran]] abstaining from the vote.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/>


===Stalled nominees===
===Stalled nominees===
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]]
**[[David Stras]] (of [[Minnesota]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Stras, an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge Diana E. Murphy who took senior status on November 29, 2016.<ref>{{https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/05/07/here-come-trumps-judges-president-to-put-forward-more-strong-judicial-nominees/?utm_term=.ba45564b875d}}</ref> On September 5, 2017, Minnesota Senator [[Al Franken]] announced that he would not return his [[blue slip]] for Stras. Franken stated that while he had nothing personally against Stras, the White House had not adequately consulted him about the nomination and added that he wanted to prevent the White House from achieving a "right wing" takeover of the Federal Judiciary.<ref>{{ https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/05/al-franken-opposes-david-stras-242340?lo=ap_a1}}</ref> On November 16, Franken was accused of making unwanted sexual advances to a talk show hostess <ref>{{http://frostsnow.com/american-model-leeann-tweeden-married-life-with-husband-chris-dougherty-children}}</ref>, and that was followed by other similar accusations from other women. On November 29, 2017, a hearing was held on Stras's nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee.<ref>{{https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/11/29/2017/nominations}}</ref> On December 7, Franken announced that he would resign from the Senate effective January 2, 2018. He will be replaced by Democrat [[Tina Smith]].
**[[David Stras]] (of [[Minnesota]]): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Stras, an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge Diana E. Murphy who took senior status on November 29, 2016.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/05/07/here-come-trumps-judges-president-to-put-forward-more-strong-judicial-nominees/?utm_term=.ba45564b875d]</ref> On September 5, 2017, Minnesota Senator [[Al Franken]] announced that he would not return his [[blue slip]] for Stras. Franken stated that while he had nothing personally against Stras, the White House had not adequately consulted him about the nomination and added that he wanted to prevent the White House from achieving a "right wing" takeover of the Federal Judiciary.<ref>[ https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/05/al-franken-opposes-david-stras-242340?lo=ap_a1]</ref> On November 16, Franken was accused of making unwanted sexual advances to a talk show hostess,<ref>[http://frostsnow.com/american-model-leeann-tweeden-married-life-with-husband-chris-dougherty-children]</ref> and that was followed by other similar accusations from other women. On November 29, 2017, a hearing was held on Stras's nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/11/29/2017/nominations]</ref> On December 7, Franken announced that he would resign from the Senate effective January 2, 2018. He will be replaced by Democrat [[Tina Smith]].

*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]]
**[[Michael B. Brennan]] (of [[Wisconsin]]): On August 3, 2017, [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] nominated Brennan, a former Judge on [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]] Circuit Court, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Terence T. Evans]], who assumed [[senior status]] on January 17, 2010.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/03/eighteen-nominations-sent-senate-today "Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", White House, August 3, 2017]</ref> Upon the announcement of his nomination, Senator [[Ron Johnson (American politician)|Ron Johnson]] praised the nomination. However, Senator [[Tammy Baldwin]] criticized President [[Donald Trump|Trump]] for bypassing the bipartisan commission composed to vet potential judicial candidates. It is unclear whether she will prevent his nomination from receiving a hearing by withholding her [[blue slip]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/04/donald-trump-appoints-gov-scott-walker-ally-federal-7th-circuit-court-appeals/539442001/ |title=Baldwin: Trump ignored bipartisan panel by nominating Gov. Scott Walker ally to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals |last=Marley |first=Patrick |date=August 4, 2017 |website=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref>
**[[Michael B. Brennan]] (of [[Wisconsin]]): On August 3, 2017, [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] nominated Brennan, a former Judge on [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County]] Circuit Court, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Terence T. Evans]], who assumed [[senior status]] on January 17, 2010.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/03/eighteen-nominations-sent-senate-today "Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", White House, August 3, 2017]</ref> Upon the announcement of his nomination, Senator [[Ron Johnson (American politician)|Ron Johnson]] praised the nomination. However, Senator [[Tammy Baldwin]] criticized President [[Donald Trump|Trump]] for bypassing the bipartisan commission composed to vet potential judicial candidates. It is unclear whether she will prevent his nomination from receiving a hearing by withholding her [[blue slip]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/04/donald-trump-appoints-gov-scott-walker-ally-federal-7th-circuit-court-appeals/539442001/ |title=Baldwin: Trump ignored bipartisan panel by nominating Gov. Scott Walker ally to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals |last=Marley |first=Patrick |date=August 4, 2017 |website=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref>

*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]]
**[[Ryan Wesley Bounds]] (of [[Oregon]]): On September 7, 2017, President Trump nominated Bounds, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain, who assumed senior status on December 31, 2016. A short time later, the state's two Democrat U.S. Senators, [[Ron Wyden]] and [[Jeff Merkley]], announced that they would [[blue]] slip the nomination. They complained that the Trump Administration had bypassed a state bipartisan vetting commission and had not consulted them about the nomination. However, the White House Consel's office produced records stating that they had contacted the state's U.S. Senators on multiple occasions, but had gotten little response from them.<ref>{{http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/09/white_house_hits_back_at_orego.html#incart_river_index_topics}}</ref>
**[[Ryan Wesley Bounds]] (of [[Oregon]]): On September 7, 2017, President Trump nominated Bounds, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain, who assumed senior status on December 31, 2016. A short time later, the state's two Democrat U.S. Senators, [[Ron Wyden]] and [[Jeff Merkley]], announced that they would [[blue]] slip the nomination. They complained that the Trump Administration had bypassed a state bipartisan vetting commission and had not consulted them about the nomination. However, the White House Consel's office produced records stating that they had contacted the state's U.S. Senators on multiple occasions, but had gotten little response from them.<ref>[http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/09/white_house_hits_back_at_orego.html#incart_river_index_topics]</ref>


==List of failed, stalled or filibustered district court nominees==
==List of failed, stalled or filibustered district court nominees==
Line 37: Line 32:
*[[United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama]]
*[[United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama]]
**[[Brett Talley]]: In September 2017, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill a vacancy on the [[United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Carrie|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/13/570499146/white-house-nomination-of-alabama-lawyer-brett-talley-will-not-be-moving-forward|title=White House: Nomination of Alabama Lawyer Brett Talley 'Will Not Be Moving Forward'|accessdate=December 13, 2017|work=[[NPR]]|date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> His nomination drew controversy due to his lack of courtroom or judicial experience, partisan personal blogging, and failure to disclose that he was married to Ann Donaldson, the Chief of Staff to White House Counsel [[Don McGahn]]. He became the third judicial nominee since 1989 to receive a unanimous rating of "not qualified" from the [[American Bar Association]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/politics/trump-judge-brett-talley-nomination.html|title=Trump Judicial Pick Did Not Disclose He Is Married to a White House Lawyer|last=Apuzzo|first=Matt|date=November 13, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=November 13, 2017|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On December 13, 2017, Talley withdrew his name from consideration for the appointment.<ref name=withdrawn>{{cite news|last1=Savage|first1=David|title=Embattled Trump judicial nominee Brett Talley withdraws|url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-pol-essential-washington-updates-embattled-trump-judge-nominee-withdraws-1513192192-htmlstory.html|accessdate=December 14, 2017|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 13, 2017}}</ref>
**[[Brett Talley]]: In September 2017, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill a vacancy on the [[United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Carrie|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/13/570499146/white-house-nomination-of-alabama-lawyer-brett-talley-will-not-be-moving-forward|title=White House: Nomination of Alabama Lawyer Brett Talley 'Will Not Be Moving Forward'|accessdate=December 13, 2017|work=[[NPR]]|date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> His nomination drew controversy due to his lack of courtroom or judicial experience, partisan personal blogging, and failure to disclose that he was married to Ann Donaldson, the Chief of Staff to White House Counsel [[Don McGahn]]. He became the third judicial nominee since 1989 to receive a unanimous rating of "not qualified" from the [[American Bar Association]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/politics/trump-judge-brett-talley-nomination.html|title=Trump Judicial Pick Did Not Disclose He Is Married to a White House Lawyer|last=Apuzzo|first=Matt|date=November 13, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=November 13, 2017|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On December 13, 2017, Talley withdrew his name from consideration for the appointment.<ref name=withdrawn>{{cite news|last1=Savage|first1=David|title=Embattled Trump judicial nominee Brett Talley withdraws|url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-pol-essential-washington-updates-embattled-trump-judge-nominee-withdraws-1513192192-htmlstory.html|accessdate=December 14, 2017|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 13, 2017}}</ref>

*[[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas]]
*[[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas]]
**[[Jeff Mateer]]: On September 7, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Mateer to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Richard A. Schell]], who assumed [[senior status]] on March 10, 2015.<ref name="whitehouse2">{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/07/eight-nominations-sent-senate-today|title=Eight Nominations Sent to the Senate Today|website=whitehouse.gov|date=2017-09-07|accessdate=2017-09-08}}</ref> Mateer was recommended to the White House by Senators [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]].<ref name=dallasnews>{{cite news|title=No judgeship for 'Satan's plan' Texan, as White House drops Jeff Mateer nomination|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/12/12/grassley-urges-trump-drop-mateer-judicial-pick-spoke-satans-plan-transgender-kids|last1=Cobler|first1=Nicole|last2=Gillman|first2=Todd J.|date=December 12, 2017|publisher=''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> After Mateer's remarks about transgender kids being part of "Satan's plan" and his support for [[conversion therapy]] were publicized in late September 2017, [[John Cornyn]], the Republican Senator from Texas and [[Senate Majority Whip]], expressed skepticism about Mateer's suitability to sit on the federal bench.<ref>{{cite web|last=Diaz |first=Kevin |url=http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Cornyn-has-doubts-about-nominee-who-said-12239028.php |title=Cornyn has doubts about nominee who said transgender rights were 'Satan's plan'|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> Cornyn and members of a committee that screens Texas judicial candidates said that Mateer had not disclosed the statements.<ref name=dallasnews/> Senator Cruz said that he still supported Mateer's nomination.<ref name="dallasnews1">{{cite web|author=Nicole Cobler|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/09/28/cruz-stands-trump-court-pick-sees-satans-plan-transgender-kids|title=Cruz stands by Trump court pick who sees 'Satan's plan' in transgender kids; Cornyn undecided|newspaper=Dallas News |date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> On December 14, 2017, Mateer's nomination for the federal judiciary was withdrawn.<ref name=withdrawn/>
**[[Jeff Mateer]]: On September 7, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Mateer to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Richard A. Schell]], who assumed [[senior status]] on March 10, 2015.<ref name="whitehouse2">{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/07/eight-nominations-sent-senate-today|title=Eight Nominations Sent to the Senate Today|website=whitehouse.gov|date=2017-09-07|accessdate=2017-09-08}}</ref> Mateer was recommended to the White House by Senators [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]].<ref name=dallasnews>{{cite news|title=No judgeship for 'Satan's plan' Texan, as White House drops Jeff Mateer nomination|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/12/12/grassley-urges-trump-drop-mateer-judicial-pick-spoke-satans-plan-transgender-kids|last1=Cobler|first1=Nicole|last2=Gillman|first2=Todd J.|date=December 12, 2017|publisher=''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> After Mateer's remarks about transgender kids being part of "Satan's plan" and his support for [[conversion therapy]] were publicized in late September 2017, [[John Cornyn]], the Republican Senator from Texas and [[Senate Majority Whip]], expressed skepticism about Mateer's suitability to sit on the federal bench.<ref>{{cite web|last=Diaz |first=Kevin |url=http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Cornyn-has-doubts-about-nominee-who-said-12239028.php |title=Cornyn has doubts about nominee who said transgender rights were 'Satan's plan'|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> Cornyn and members of a committee that screens Texas judicial candidates said that Mateer had not disclosed the statements.<ref name=dallasnews/> Senator Cruz said that he still supported Mateer's nomination.<ref name="dallasnews1">{{cite web|author=Nicole Cobler|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/09/28/cruz-stands-trump-court-pick-sees-satans-plan-transgender-kids|title=Cruz stands by Trump court pick who sees 'Satan's plan' in transgender kids; Cornyn undecided|newspaper=Dallas News |date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> On December 14, 2017, Mateer's nomination for the federal judiciary was withdrawn.<ref name=withdrawn/>

*[[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]]
*[[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]]
**[[Matthew S. Petersen]]: On September 7, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] nominated Petersen to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Richard W. Roberts]], who assumed [[senior status]] on March 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/07/president-donald-j-trump-announces-seventh-wave-judicial-candidates|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Seventh Wave of Judicial Candidates - The White House|publisher=}}</ref> On December 13, 2017, during his confirmation hearing before the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-judicial-nominee-matthew-petersen_us_5a37ec14e4b0ff955ad51e82|title=Trump Judicial Nominee Drops Out After Embarrassing Hearing|first=Jennifer|last=Bendery|date=18 December 2017|publisher=|via=Huff Post}}</ref><ref name="WP">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/15/that-painful-exchange-between-a-trump-judicial-pick-and-a-gop-senator-annotated/|title=Analysis {{!}} That painful exchange between a Trump judicial pick and a GOP senator, annotated |last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=2017-12-15|work=Washington Post|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Senator [[John Neely Kennedy]] ([[R-LA]]) questioned Petersen about legal procedure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365050-dem-senator-bashes-trump-judicial-nominee-over-hearing-testimony|title=Dem senator bashes Trump judicial nominee over hearing testimony: 'Hoo-boy'|first=John|last=Bowden|date=14 December 2017|publisher=}}</ref> asking if Petersen knew what the [[Daubert standard]] was, and what a [[motion in limine]] was. He was unable to answer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/matthew-petersen-senator-kennedy.html|title=Trump Judicial Nominee Attracts Scorn After Flopping in Hearing|last=Bromwich|first=Jonah Engel|date=2017-12-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-12-15|last2=Chokshi|first2=Niraj|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Fumbles">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/15/trump-judicial-nominee-fumbles-basic-questions-about-the-law/|title=Trump judicial nominee fumbles basic questions about the law|first=Derek|last=Hawkins|date=15 December 2017|publisher=|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> Petersen's answers have received criticism in the press and from lawmakers. ''The New York Times'' described it as one of the "more painful Senate hearings in recent memory."<ref name=":1"/><ref name="Fumbles"/> Petersen withdrew his nomination on December 16, 2017.<ref name="cnnwithdraw">{{cite news|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|title=Trump judicial nominee Matthew Petersen withdraws after viral hearing video|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/politics/trump-judicial-nominee-petersen-withdraws/index.html|accessdate=December 18, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=December 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365455-trump-judicial-nominee-withdraws-after-humiliating-hearing|title=Trump judicial nominee withdraws after humiliating hearing|first=Tristan|last=Lejeune|date=18 December 2017|publisher=}}</ref>
**[[Matthew S. Petersen]]: On September 7, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] nominated Petersen to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, to the seat vacated by Judge [[Richard W. Roberts]], who assumed [[senior status]] on March 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/07/president-donald-j-trump-announces-seventh-wave-judicial-candidates|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Seventh Wave of Judicial Candidates - The White House|publisher=}}</ref> On December 13, 2017, during his confirmation hearing before the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-judicial-nominee-matthew-petersen_us_5a37ec14e4b0ff955ad51e82|title=Trump Judicial Nominee Drops Out After Embarrassing Hearing|first=Jennifer|last=Bendery|date=18 December 2017|publisher=|via=Huff Post}}</ref><ref name="WP">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/15/that-painful-exchange-between-a-trump-judicial-pick-and-a-gop-senator-annotated/|title=Analysis {{!}} That painful exchange between a Trump judicial pick and a GOP senator, annotated |last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=2017-12-15|work=Washington Post|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Senator [[John Neely Kennedy]] ([[R-LA]]) questioned Petersen about legal procedure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365050-dem-senator-bashes-trump-judicial-nominee-over-hearing-testimony|title=Dem senator bashes Trump judicial nominee over hearing testimony: 'Hoo-boy'|first=John|last=Bowden|date=14 December 2017|publisher=}}</ref> asking if Petersen knew what the [[Daubert standard]] was, and what a [[motion in limine]] was. He was unable to answer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/matthew-petersen-senator-kennedy.html|title=Trump Judicial Nominee Attracts Scorn After Flopping in Hearing|last=Bromwich|first=Jonah Engel|date=2017-12-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-12-15|last2=Chokshi|first2=Niraj|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Fumbles">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/15/trump-judicial-nominee-fumbles-basic-questions-about-the-law/|title=Trump judicial nominee fumbles basic questions about the law|first=Derek|last=Hawkins|date=15 December 2017|publisher=|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> Petersen's answers have received criticism in the press and from lawmakers. ''The New York Times'' described it as one of the "more painful Senate hearings in recent memory."<ref name=":1"/><ref name="Fumbles"/> Petersen withdrew his nomination on December 16, 2017.<ref name="cnnwithdraw">{{cite news|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|title=Trump judicial nominee Matthew Petersen withdraws after viral hearing video|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/politics/trump-judicial-nominee-petersen-withdraws/index.html|accessdate=December 18, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=December 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365455-trump-judicial-nominee-withdraws-after-humiliating-hearing|title=Trump judicial nominee withdraws after humiliating hearing|first=Tristan|last=Lejeune|date=18 December 2017|publisher=}}</ref>

Revision as of 04:16, 4 January 2018

President Donald Trump entered office with a significant number of judicial vacancies,[1] one of which included a Supreme Court vacancy due to the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016. Trump had announced around 50 judges by September 15, 2017, which was much more than that of any recent president at that point in their presidency.[2] As of December 16, 2017, four of President Trump's judicial nominees have been rated Not Qualified by a majority of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary,[3] of which one has withdrawn,[4] and one has been confirmed.[5] President Trump's percentage of judicial nominees rated Not Qualified by a majority of the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary is higher than in the previous four presidential administrations.[6]

Supreme Court

  • Supreme Court of the United States
    • Neil Gorsuch (of Colorado): President Trump announced the nomination of Judge Gorsuch on January 31, 2017. The nomination was formally transmitted to the Senate on February 1, 2017.[7] Judge Gorsuch's confirmation hearings started on March 20, 2017, and lasted four days.[8][9] On April 3, the Judiciary Committee approved Judge Gorsuch by in an 11–9 in a party-line vote.[10][11] During the last day of committee hearings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced from the Senate floor that he would filibuster the nomination.[12] Democratic opposition focused primarily on the complaint that the vacancy on the court was created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia during President Barack Obama's administration should have been filled by President Obama's nominee for the vacancy, Judge Merrick Garland.[13][14] In response, Republicans hearkened back to November 2013 when Democrats invoked the nuclear option to fill three vacancies on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.[15] To counter the filibuster, Republicans invoked the nuclear option, ending debate with a simple majority vote and extending the rule that a simple majority could invoke cloture on all presidential nominations, including Supreme Court nominations.[16] The Senate confirmed Judge Gorsuch on April 7, 2017 by a vote of 54–45, with all Senate Republicans present voting to confirm along with three Democratic Senators from states that voted heavily for President Trump: Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Joe Donnelly (D-IN).[17]

List of failed, stalled or filibustered appellate nominees

Successfully appointed nominees

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    • John K. Bush(of Kentucky): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate prominent Louisville lawyer Bush to the seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge Danny Julian Boggs who took senior status on February 28, 2017.[18] His nomination became highly controversial when some of his writings on a blog site called Elephants in the Bluegrass became public. He wrote that legal abortion was equivalent to slavery, calling the two "The two greatest tragedies in our country." He quoted another person who referred to gay people as "faggots," denounced the claim of climate change, and ridiculed some prominent office holders, including Governor Matt Begin and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. He also he called the idea of trying terrorists in civilian courts “bone-headed.” Democrats and liberals claimed that he was both a partisan extremist and that he could not judge cases impartially. His defenders pointed out that he graduated from Harvard Law School with honors and was a highly successful lawyer with one of Kentucky's most prominent law firms. In testimony, Bush insisted that he would rule strictly on the basis of the law and Constitution and not let his personal views interfere with his duties, which his opponents were openly skeptical of. Even some Republican Senators were troubled by his blogging record, but reluctantly agreed to support him.[19] On July 19, 2017, the Senate voted in favor of cloture by a vote of 51-48[20] and on July 20, 2017, the United States Senate voted 51-47 to confirm him,[21] both votes breaking along party lines.
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
    • Gregory G. Katsas: On September 7, President Donald Trump nominated Deputy White House Counsel Katsas to serve as a United States Circuit Judge to replace Judge Janice Rogers Brown, who retired on August 31, 2017. Democrats immediately denounced the nomination. Their primary complaint was that Katsas was too closely tied to Trump personally and could not be relied upon to show judicial independence. Republicans defended his nomination by pointing out he received the highest rating from the American Bar Association, whom Democrats had upheld as the "gold standard" for rating a judge's fitness.[26] On October 17, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On November 9, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party-line 11-9 roll call vote.[27] On November 27, 2017, the United States Senate voted to invoke cloture by a vote of 52-48.[28] On November 28, 2017, the Senate voted to confirm Katsas by a vote of 50-48.[29]
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Stalled nominees

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
    • David Stras (of Minnesota): On May 8, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Stras, an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge Diana E. Murphy who took senior status on November 29, 2016.[35] On September 5, 2017, Minnesota Senator Al Franken announced that he would not return his blue slip for Stras. Franken stated that while he had nothing personally against Stras, the White House had not adequately consulted him about the nomination and added that he wanted to prevent the White House from achieving a "right wing" takeover of the Federal Judiciary.[36] On November 16, Franken was accused of making unwanted sexual advances to a talk show hostess,[37] and that was followed by other similar accusations from other women. On November 29, 2017, a hearing was held on Stras's nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[38] On December 7, Franken announced that he would resign from the Senate effective January 2, 2018. He will be replaced by Democrat Tina Smith.
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
    • Michael B. Brennan (of Wisconsin): On August 3, 2017, President Trump nominated Brennan, a former Judge on Milwaukee County Circuit Court, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge Terence T. Evans, who assumed senior status on January 17, 2010.[39] Upon the announcement of his nomination, Senator Ron Johnson praised the nomination. However, Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized President Trump for bypassing the bipartisan commission composed to vet potential judicial candidates. It is unclear whether she will prevent his nomination from receiving a hearing by withholding her blue slip.[40]
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • Ryan Wesley Bounds (of Oregon): On September 7, 2017, President Trump nominated Bounds, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, to the seat vacated by Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain, who assumed senior status on December 31, 2016. A short time later, the state's two Democrat U.S. Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, announced that they would blue slip the nomination. They complained that the Trump Administration had bypassed a state bipartisan vetting commission and had not consulted them about the nomination. However, the White House Consel's office produced records stating that they had contacted the state's U.S. Senators on multiple occasions, but had gotten little response from them.[41]

List of failed, stalled or filibustered district court nominees

Failed nominees

[Note 1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Vacancy Summary for January 2017, United States Courts
  2. ^ "'The dogma lives loudly within you': The battle over Trump's effort to remake the courts in his image is starting to heat up". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  3. ^ https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/uncategorized/GAO/Web%20rating%20Chart%20Trump%20115.authcheckdam.pdf
  4. ^ "Two Trump judge nominees out after criticism".
  5. ^ a b "Leonard Steven Grasz, Trump judicial pick rated as "not qualified," OK'd by Senate".
  6. ^ Smith, Allan (November 15, 2017). "Trump is bypassing judicial ratings agencies before making his nominations — and it has led to a substantial increase in 'not qualified' nominees". Business Insider. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  7. ^ "Congressional Record".
  8. ^ Kim, Seung Min (February 16, 2017). "Gorsuch confirmation hearing set for March 20". Politico.
  9. ^ "United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary". www.judiciary.senate.gov. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  10. ^ Flegenheimer, Matt (April 3, 2017). "Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Gorsuch in Party-Line Vote". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  11. ^ Berenson, Tessa (April 3, 2017). "Senate Judiciary Committee Just Approved Neil Gorsuch's Nomination". Time. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  12. ^ Matt Flegenheimer; Charlie Savage; Adam Liptak (24 March 2017). "Democrats Plan to Filibuster to Thwart Gorsuch Nomination". The New York Times. p. A17. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  13. ^ 6:00 AM ET (March 30, 2016). "Trump's Supreme Court Nominee Is Going To Face An Angry, Partisan Senate Battle". NPR. Retrieved February 1, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Shear, Michael D.; Liptak, Adam (January 24, 2017). "A Supreme Court Pick Is Promised. A Political Brawl Is Certain". Retrieved February 1, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  15. ^ News, A. B. C. (6 April 2017). "Senate OKs 'nuclear option,' clears path for high court nomination vote". ABC News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ Killough, Ashley. "GOP triggers nuclear option on Neil Gorsuch nomination". CNN Politics. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  17. ^ Adam Liptak; Matt Flegenheimer (8 April 2017). "Neil Gorsuch Confirmed by Senate as Supreme Court Justice". The New York Times. p. A1. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ [2]
  20. ^ [3]
  21. ^ [4]
  22. ^ "Trump Names 10 Conservatives It Plans to Nominate to Federal Courts". Chicago Tribune. May 8, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  23. ^ Freking, Kevin (October 6, 2017). "Committee Recommends Notre Dame Professor Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Judicial Bench". South Bend Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  24. ^ U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session United States Senate Vote Summary: Vote Number 254, United States Senate, October 30, 2017
  25. ^ Bendery, Jennifer (October 31, 2017). "Senate Confirms Judicial Nominee Who Questioned Roe v. Wade Decision". HuffPost. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  26. ^ [5]
  27. ^ [6]
  28. ^ [7]
  29. ^ [8]
  30. ^ "Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today - The White House".
  31. ^ Min Kim, Seung (October 30, 2017). "ABA deems another Trump judicial nominee 'not qualified'". Politico. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  32. ^ "Sasse Slams Bar Association for Calling Trump Judicial Nominee 'Not Qualified'".
  33. ^ "Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee" (PDF).
  34. ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov.
  35. ^ [9]
  36. ^ [ https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/05/al-franken-opposes-david-stras-242340?lo=ap_a1]
  37. ^ [10]
  38. ^ [11]
  39. ^ "Eighteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", White House, August 3, 2017
  40. ^ Marley, Patrick (August 4, 2017). "Baldwin: Trump ignored bipartisan panel by nominating Gov. Scott Walker ally to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  41. ^ [12]
  42. ^ Johnson, Carrie (December 13, 2017). "White House: Nomination of Alabama Lawyer Brett Talley 'Will Not Be Moving Forward'". NPR. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  43. ^ Apuzzo, Matt; Schmidt, Michael S. (November 13, 2017). "Trump Judicial Pick Did Not Disclose He Is Married to a White House Lawyer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  44. ^ a b Savage, David (December 13, 2017). "Embattled Trump judicial nominee Brett Talley withdraws". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  45. ^ "Eight Nominations Sent to the Senate Today". whitehouse.gov. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  46. ^ a b Cobler, Nicole; Gillman, Todd J. (December 12, 2017). "No judgeship for 'Satan's plan' Texan, as White House drops Jeff Mateer nomination". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 15, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ Diaz, Kevin (September 28, 2017). "Cornyn has doubts about nominee who said transgender rights were 'Satan's plan'". San Antonio Express-News.
  48. ^ Nicole Cobler (September 28, 2017). "Cruz stands by Trump court pick who sees 'Satan's plan' in transgender kids; Cornyn undecided". Dallas News.
  49. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Seventh Wave of Judicial Candidates - The White House".
  50. ^ Bendery, Jennifer (18 December 2017). "Trump Judicial Nominee Drops Out After Embarrassing Hearing" – via Huff Post.
  51. ^ Blake, Aaron (2017-12-15). "Analysis | That painful exchange between a Trump judicial pick and a GOP senator, annotated". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  52. ^ Bowden, John (14 December 2017). "Dem senator bashes Trump judicial nominee over hearing testimony: 'Hoo-boy'".
  53. ^ a b Bromwich, Jonah Engel; Chokshi, Niraj (2017-12-15). "Trump Judicial Nominee Attracts Scorn After Flopping in Hearing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  54. ^ a b Hawkins, Derek (15 December 2017). "Trump judicial nominee fumbles basic questions about the law" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  55. ^ Merica, Dan (December 18, 2017). "Trump judicial nominee Matthew Petersen withdraws after viral hearing video". CNN. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  56. ^ Lejeune, Tristan (18 December 2017). "Trump judicial nominee withdraws after humiliating hearing".

Notes

  1. ^ All three nominees have asked the White House to withdraw their nominations, however as of December 18, 2017 the withdrawals have not been formally submitted to Congress.
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