Trump Judicial Nominees? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Now that Trump has won the election, I wonder who Trump will put up for SCOTUS and the CoAs.

If the WSJ article is to be believed, Alito won't retire in 2025. Perhaps Trump will appoint someone to the CoAs first in 2025 and then to SCOTUS when SAA/CT retire?

[Anonymous User]

Jordan’s seat on the Third Circuit likely won’t be filled. I’m not plugged in to the conservative legal scene in Delaware, so I’ve got no idea who could take that seat.

What I’m really curious about is how Trump could run up a commanding lead on the Eighth Circuit. Loken, Benton, Shepherd, and Smith are eligible for senior status. Judge Lee Rudofsky of E.D. Arkansas might be a good contender for an Arkansas-based seat. John Sauer could take a Missouri-based seat. No clue about Minnesota.

[Anonymous User]

Jordan’s seat on the Third Circuit likely won’t be filled. I’m not plugged in to the conservative legal scene in Delaware, so I’ve got no idea who could take that seat.

What I’m really curious about is how Trump could run up a commanding lead on the Eighth Circuit. Loken, Benton, Shepherd, and Smith are eligible for senior status. Judge Lee Rudofsky of E.D. Arkansas might be a good contender for an Arkansas-based seat. John Sauer could take a Missouri-based seat. No clue about Minnesota.

Gruender becoming the most liberal 8th Circuit active will be hilarious and insane.

[Anonymous User]

Jordan’s seat on the Third Circuit likely won’t be filled. I’m not plugged in to the conservative legal scene in Delaware, so I’ve got no idea who could take that seat.

What I’m really curious about is how Trump could run up a commanding lead on the Eighth Circuit. Loken, Benton, Shepherd, and Smith are eligible for senior status. Judge Lee Rudofsky of E.D. Arkansas might be a good contender for an Arkansas-based seat. John Sauer could take a Missouri-based seat. No clue about Minnesota.

Gruender becoming the most liberal 8th Circuit active will be hilarious and insane.

Kelly would likely get that title.

[Anonymous User]

In addition to Delaware, there are current open seats in New Jersey and Maine that may or may not be filled in the lame duck.

There are also Democratic-nominated CCA judges in Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina who have announced they'll go senior upon confirmation of a successor. If the Biden nominees to replace them are not confirmed, it will be interesting to see whether any or all announce in January that they are no longer intending to take senior status.

[Anonymous User]

I think the only way Trump gets to pick a CA5 judge is if someone is elevated to SCOTUS and/or Jones/Smith die. The prevailing wisdom is that neither Edith nor Jerry will take senior status.

I don't see a world where Stewart, Southwick, or Richmond retire within the next four years.

[Anonymous User]

In addition to Delaware, there are current open seats in New Jersey and Maine that may or may not be filled in the lame duck.

There are also Democratic-nominated CCA judges in Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina who have announced they'll go senior upon confirmation of a successor. If the Biden nominees to replace them are not confirmed, it will be interesting to see whether any or all announce in January that they are no longer intending to take senior status.

The Maine and New Jersey seats are on the table because Kayatta and Greenaway have taken senior status and retired, respectively. Judge Lance Walker would be an excellent pick for CA1. I imagine the CCA seats that have been made contingent on the appointment of a successor will announce that they have rescinded, like Judge Marbley did this week.

[T14_Hopeful]

Don’t forget the Federal Circuit. Newman is 96, Dyk is 87, and Lourie is 89. Odds are, they will pass away or develop serious health issues that they will have to vacate their seat.

The caveat with the Federal Circuit is that it will not be as glamorous or prestigious as the DC Circuit, but it’s nonetheless DC, and there is a smaller pool of qualified/interested candidates for Trump to choose from.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

Now that there are no blue slips for CoA noms, neither of those choices are NEARLY conservative enough for a 2d Cir. spot. Expect Trump to only put rock ribbed conservatives like Menashi on the 2d

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

Halpern and Vyskocil are not well-respected at all, though Kovner and Cronan definitely are.

[Anonymous User]

I myself am preparing applications materials for future Justice Aileen Cannon.

[Anonymous User]

I myself am preparing applications materials for future Justice Aileen Cannon.

Might as well do Justice James Ho while you’re at it.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

Why not in Tennesse?

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

Why not in Tennesse?

One, there’s no vacancy on the Sixth in Tennessee, besides Stranch who is either getting Karla Campbell to replace her or will rescind when Trump is inaugurated. Two, CIT sits in New York anyway, and Vaden has sat by designation on the Second Circuit. I figure that has to mean something. Perhaps he could go to WD Tenn, but I’m not sure if specialized trial court to trial court is a common move.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

Vaden will def get something in this admin. He's, um, interesting. Met him a few times. I think this is a great darkhorse call. I don't think he will move from CIT to WD Tenn.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

Vaden will def get something in this admin. He's, um, interesting. Met him a few times. I think this is a great darkhorse call. I don't think he will move from CIT to WD Tenn.

He seemed quite sharp when I met him. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get bumped to a COA when an opening arises.

[Keret35]

I myself am preparing applications materials for future Justice Aileen Cannon.

Not sure if you're being serious or trolling, but this won't happen. If anything she'll be elevated to 11th Cir. She's far too risky a pick for SCOTUS.

[Anonymous User]

Who gets promoted to 2d Cir?

Kovner? Cronan? Feel like the older judges like Halpern or Vyskocil are probably out of consideration but they are both well-respected so wouldn't be too surprising either.

My darkhorse pick is Judge Vaden on CIT. Young, very conservative, and with a “controversial”/ideological record.

Vaden will def get something in this admin. He's, um, interesting. Met him a few times. I think this is a great darkhorse call. I don't think he will move from CIT to WD Tenn.

Why the "um"

[Anonymous User]

Kat Mizelle would have gotten the open Florida spot on the Eleventh Circuit, but it's looking like Embry Kidd will get confirmed before Congress adjourns. I don't think Jordan or Rosenbaum will be taking senior status in the next 4 years.

[Quichelorraine]

Now that there are no blue slips for CoA noms, neither of those choices are NEARLY conservative enough for a 2d Cir. spot. Expect Trump to only put rock ribbed conservatives like Menashi on the 2d

Is anybody other than Livingston eligible (and likely to take) senior status? Sullivan's next, but still has a few years to go before age 65.

It would be a pity not to elevate Kovner. She's already a rockstar and having a reliable feeder rockstar on your appellate court is always a good thing.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone think Easterbrook or any other circuit judges on the 7th Circuit will take senior status in 2025?

[Anonymous User]

Now that there are no blue slips for CoA noms, neither of those choices are NEARLY conservative enough for a 2d Cir. spot. Expect Trump to only put rock ribbed conservatives like Menashi on the 2d

Is anybody other than Livingston eligible (and likely to take) senior status? Sullivan's next, but still has a few years to go before age 65.

It would be a pity not to elevate Kovner. She's already a rockstar and having a reliable feeder rockstar on your appellate court is always a good thing.

What does rockstar mean? Reputation and feeder record? Sure. Opinion quality and judicial management of cases? No different in quality than 20+ other SDNY/EDNY judges, imo. If anything, Judge Kovner has a tendency to overthink and overcomplicate easy issues, resulting in errors!

[Anonymous User]

If she's going to be on the bench for life anyway, the Second Circuit is a much better place for overthinking and overcomplicating easy issues than the district court!