Judges were one of the big wins of President Donald Trump’s first term. His initial batch of nominees this term suggests he’s not tired of winning yet.
Last week, Trump named several judges for the district court in Missouri and the municipal court in Washington, D.C. And earlier this month, he announced Whitney Hermandorfer as his nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
All are strong picks, but Hermandorfer has garnered the most attention — and for good reason.
She’s Trump’s only court of appeals nominee so far. This is significant because the courts of appeals are one level below the Supreme Court in more ways than one. They resolve upwards of 99% of federal litigation, while the High Court rules on around 60 cases each year.
Moreover, the court of appeals is a common stepping stone to higher office. Eight of the nine sitting Supreme Court justices…
