Tracking Trump's Extremist Takeover of the Courts
Judicial Nominations Watch
Trump’s Judges. Lifetime Power. Dangerous Agendas.
We’re exposing the ultra-conservative nominees Trump is rushing onto the bench—and the dark money machine fueling them.
A Stacked Court Hurts All of Us
When Donald Trump was in office the first time, he and his allies made it their mission to take over the courts—not to make them fair, but to make them work for their political agenda. They pushed through judges who could be counted on to side with special interests and roll back rights most Americans rely on.
Now he’s doing it again. But this time, the nominees are even more extreme. Some have openly supported ending birthright citizenship. Others have backed efforts to strip away reproductive freedom or dismantle the independence of federal agencies. What they have in common is loyalty to Trump—not to the Constitution or the people the courts are supposed to serve.
These are lifetime appointments. If these nominees are confirmed, they’ll be making decisions that shape our lives long after Trump is gone.
This Isn’t Normal—And We Shouldn’t Treat It Like It Is
Trump’s not just picking judges—he’s installing allies. People with clear records of doing his bidding, even when it means pushing the law to its breaking point. These aren’t impartial legal minds. They’re political actors who’ve signed on to extreme agendas—and now they’re up for lifetime power.
We’re following these nominations closely because the consequences are real. Once someone is confirmed to the federal bench, there’s no going back. They’ll be in a position to shape the rules we all live by—for decades.
This project exists because we believe people deserve to know the truth about who’s being handed that kind of power—and why.
Who has Trump Nominated?
Here are the nominees we’re tracking—and what you need to know about their records.
Currently serving on Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, Artau has sided with Trump in a case against the free press, has deep ties to the Federalist Society, and consistently favors corporate interests.
Bluestone is Missouri’s appellate chief prosecutor and a former deputy in Josh Hawley’s AG office. He’s backed high-profile, partisan legal battles.
Missouri’s solicitor general, Divine has made a career out of pushing Trump’s agenda—from judge-shopping to roll back abortion rights to defending unconstitutional actions.
With less than three years on the bench, Dudek’s nomination reflects Trump’s preference for loyalty over experience.
As Florida’s chief deputy attorney general, Guard has been a key figure in enforcing DeSantis-style culture war policies through the courts.
At the helm of Tennessee’s Strategic Litigation Unit, Hermandorfer has used her role to defend Trump’s most extreme executive actions—and to advance a far-right agenda.
Lanahan has fought to uphold Missouri’s abortion ban, defend anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and roll back workplace protections—all from the AG’s office.
President Trump announced the nomination of Chad Meredith to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. As solicitor general in the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, Meredith has defended Kentucky’s extreme anti-abortion laws. As former governor Matt Bevin’s counsel, Meredith was involved in Bevin’s controversial pardons of convicted killers and sex offenders. Meredith’s previous consideration to the court was met with vehement opposition, and his selection is no less dangerous in 2025.
A DeSantis appointee with deep ties to the Federalist Society, Moe has ruled to block a local ballot measure and served on the board of a school that pushed a far-right church-state lawsuit.
With ties to First Liberty Institute and Alliance Defending Freedom, Pratt has consistently pushed anti-abortion and anti-voting rights positions—both in and out of the courtroom.
A longtime federal prosecutor and appellate judge, Stevens led the DOJ’s investigation into the Ferguson police shooting and has deep ties to Missouri’s legal establishment.Know Who’s Being Given Power—And Why It Matters
Behind every judicial nomination is a paper trail—past cases, public statements, political connections, and decisions that give us a window into how a person might rule once they’re on the bench.
This section is where we lay that all out. Not just the resumes, but the red flags. Because these aren’t just names on a list—they’re people who could soon be making rulings that affect your rights, your family, and your future.
From efforts to block access to abortion and birth control, to support for undermining democratic institutions, these nominees bring more than just legal experience—they bring a clear agenda.
We’ve done the work to dig into their records so you don’t have to. Take a look. See what’s at stake.
Stay Informed
Get the latest news on how we’re holding big business, government officials, and special interests accountable, and what you can do to get involved.
By submitting your cell phone number, you are agreeing to receive period text messages from Accountable.US, including automated text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to stop receiving messages.