Trump will get another pick on influential federal appeals court
President Donald Trump will have the opportunity to nominate another judge to a key federal appeals court after one of the judges announced this week that he would take senior status.
TL;DR
- Circuit Judge Kurt Engelhardt of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will take senior status, effective December 31, 2026, or upon confirmation of his successor.
- President Trump previously nominated Engelhardt to the 5th Circuit in 2018.
- The 5th Circuit is a significant federal appeals court, sending more cases to the Supreme Court than other circuits.
- This nomination presents an opportunity for Trump to appoint another judge to the 5th Circuit, adding to the six he has already appointed.