President Donald Trump has announced nine new judicial nominees for federal district court seats in six Republican led states, as Republicans face a narrowing window to confirm judges before the November 3 midterm elections.
The nominees include Oklahoma attorney Zach West, who supported a legal challenge involving taxpayer funded religious charter schools, and Alaska Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon, who Trump selected for a seat left vacant after former Trump appointed Judge Joshua Kindred resigned following a sexual misconduct investigation.
What Happened?
Trump announced the nine nominees in posts on his Truth Social platform late Tuesday. The selections cover federal district court vacancies in Oklahoma, Alaska, Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Florida.
If confirmed by the Senate, the nominees would receive lifetime appointments as federal district court judges.
The timing is important because the Senate may not be able to hold full chamber confirmation votes before the November midterm elections. Democrats hope the elections will give them control of the Senate, which could affect the future of Trump’s judicial nominations.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Trump announced nine judicial nominees |
| When | August 18, 2026 |
| Where | Six Republican led states |
| Who is involved | Donald Trump and nine judicial nominees |
| Current status | The nominees still require Senate confirmation |
Trump Judicial Nominees Include Oklahoma Attorney Zach West
The most closely watched nominee is Zach West, an attorney who has worked in the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office as solicitor general and later as director of special litigation.
Trump nominated West for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. In announcing the nomination, Trump described West as “a zealous advocate for the Constitution, Religious Liberty, and the Rule of Law.”
West previously represented Oklahoma in a dispute involving federal funding for family planning programs. Oklahoma had stopped referrals to pregnancy counseling services that could provide information about abortion, and West argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that the Biden administration should not remove millions of dollars in federal funding from the state.
Religious Charter School Dispute
West also played a role in a major Oklahoma dispute over religious charter schools.
In December 2022, West signed a legal memorandum with then Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor arguing that a state law preventing religious schools from participating in Oklahoma’s charter school program was unconstitutional.
The legal position helped support efforts by two Catholic dioceses to establish what would have been the nation’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected that effort in May 2025. The decision left in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that found the proposed charter school violated constitutional limits on government involvement in religion.
Another nominee from Oklahoma
Trump also nominated Trevor Pemberton for a federal judgeship in Oklahoma’s Eastern District.
Pemberton previously served as a judge on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals and worked as general counsel to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
Alaska Nominee Fills Long Vacant Seat
In Alaska, Trump nominated U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon for a federal district court seat that has remained vacant for two years.
The position became vacant after former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred resigned in 2024.
Kindred was appointed by Trump during his first term. He resigned after a judicial inquiry found that he had maintained an inappropriate sexualized relationship with one of his law clerks and created a hostile work environment for court employees.
Trump also announced several federal judicial nominees across Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Florida.
The nominees include Courtney Coker and Richard Bennett in Texas, Brad Kelley and Peter Mansfield in Louisiana, Daniel Ballou in Kentucky, and Robert Long in Florida.
All nominees would require Senate confirmation before taking their respective judicial positions.
Why This Matters
Federal district court judges hold lifetime appointments, making judicial nominations an important part of a president’s long term impact on the federal judiciary.
The timing of Trump’s latest nominations also matters because the November midterm elections could change control of the Senate. The Senate must confirm federal judicial nominees before they can take office.
Based on the Senate calendar described in the source material, the nominees are unlikely to receive full Senate confirmation votes before the elections and could instead face votes during the lame duck period afterward.
What Happens Next?
The nine nominees must go through the Senate confirmation process.
The Senate will determine whether the nominees receive confirmation. The timing and outcome could be affected by the November 3 midterm elections and any resulting change in Senate control.
Conclusion
Trump has announced nine judicial nominees for federal district courts across six states, including Oklahoma attorney Zach West and Alaska Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon. The nominations come at a critical point in the Senate calendar, with confirmation votes potentially extending into the period after the November midterm elections.
