Supreme Court Nominations

Noted ABA member’s rejection from the Supreme Court in 1930 still resonates today

The genesis for my latest book, Supreme Pressure: The Rejection of John J. Parker and Birth of the Modern Supreme Court Confirmation Process grew out my long-held fascination with the U.S. Supreme Court. I wanted to learn more about Parker’s 1930 rejection—a nomination that, at first glance, seemed like a political masterstroke for President Herbert Hoover.

Apr 1, 2026 1:05 AM CDT

Rumors and speculation swirl around whether Justice Alito is planning to retire from SCOTUS

There's no actual reporting that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is intending to retire, but that hasn't stopped the rumors and speculation over him.

Feb 17, 2026 9:15 AM CST

Data doesn’t support DOJ claims of bias in judicial ratings process, ABA President Bay says

The ABA is rebutting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s claims of bias in its long-standing efforts to evaluate federal judicial nominees.

Jun 12, 2025 9:45 AM CDT

These 3 potential Supreme Court picks top ranks in ‘Trump Alignment Index’

Three federal appeals judges stand out as most likely to get a nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Donald Trump based on an analysis of their rulings, writing and mentors, according to a political science professor and Supreme Court scholar who created the blog Empirical SCOTUS.

Jun 10, 2025 12:51 PM CDT

DOJ restricts ABA’s access to vet and rate judicial nominees

The Department of Justice is taking significant steps to thwart the ABA’s long-standing efforts to impartially evaluate federal judicial nominees.

Jun 2, 2025 4:30 PM CDT

Trump blames the Federalist Society and Leonard Leo for tariffs ruling

President Donald Trump lashed out at the conservative legal movement and one of its prominent leaders, Leonard Leo, on Thursday night, blaming them for the federal court ruling that blocked most of his tariffs this week.

May 30, 2025 11:20 AM CDT

Trump’s first judicial pick of second term has clerked ‘for a full third’ of Supreme Court’s justices

President Donald Trump has announced his first judicial nominee of his second term.

May 5, 2025 3:34 PM CDT

Jimmy Carter never had a SCOTUS pick. He still transformed the judiciary

For President Jimmy Carter, the indignities were many. Unable to secure the freedom of the American hostages in Iran, powerless against an inflation crisis, challenged by a member of his own party in the 1980 presidential primary then voted out after one term—the first president to meet this humbling fate…

Jan 7, 2025 12:43 PM CST

Trump’s election sparks fight over judicial retirements, new judgeships

It is rare in the federal court system for judges to retract declarations of senior status, a form of semi-retirement that creates a vacancy on the court. Legal experts see the judges’ actions as part of the broader political jockeying over a federal court system whose judges have lifetime appointments and whose rulings can shape policy over multiple administrations.

Dec 24, 2024 10:30 AM CST

5th Circuit judge’s remarks spur talk of Supreme Court audition

Public remarks by a conservative federal appeals judge have “rekindled talk of a possible audition for the Supreme Court," according to a story by Bloomberg Law.

Dec 19, 2024 3:35 PM CST

How might conservative groups influence nominations for Supreme Court vacancies during Trump presidency?

After Donald Trump’s defeat this month of Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, members of the Federalist Society once again gathered in Washington for the group’s National Lawyers Convention. The mood at the Washington Hilton from Nov. 14-16 was decidedly upbeat.

Nov 21, 2024 8:58 AM CST

Leonard Leo, Trump aide Mike Davis spar over Supreme Court retirements

An influential conservative lawyer who advised Donald Trump during his first term forcefully pushed back Friday on talk that one or more conservative Supreme Court justices might retire after Trump again takes office in January.

Nov 12, 2024 10:55 AM CST

Who may be on Trump’s Supreme Court short list? Senate win aids judicial picks

President-elect Donald Trump could get a chance to appoint two U.S. Supreme Court justices if Justice Clarence Thomas, 76, and Justice Samuel Alito, 74, decide to retire.

Nov 6, 2024 3:12 PM CST

What we know about Trump, Harris, and judicial nominations

The numbers will fluctuate before the inauguration in January, but the next president could have the fewest openings to fill at the start of a presidential term since 1989, according to figures compiled by the Brookings Institution. Any openings on the Supreme Court would depend in part on who wins the White House.

Oct 31, 2024 1:30 PM CDT

Mike Davis trolls the left online. He could also help Trump pick MAGA judges

Mike Davis has also positioned himself to be a key adviser on legal issues and judicial selection in a potential second Trump term by combining modern-day media invective with old-school know-how.

Oct 23, 2024 9:45 AM CDT