President Donald Trump on Monday urged the U.S. Senate to confirm 25 pending federal judicial nominees before Republicans lose their majority in January. The call comes as resistance from Arkansas’s senators threatens the confirmation of one nominee, which would give Trump appointees a majority on a federal appeals court for the first time.
The president posted on Truth Social that confirming the remaining nominees—including the 25 federal judges—was ‘very important’ for the Senate to address. The White House has not provided additional details on the nominees or the specific timeline for confirmation.
Senate Republicans currently hold a slim majority, but Democrats are set to take control of the chamber in January following the midterm elections. This shift has narrowed the window for Republicans to advance Trump’s judicial agenda, including the confirmation of appeals court judges. The loss of the Senate majority could also impact future Supreme Court nominations, as any vacancy would require Democratic support to confirm a replacement.
Arkansas Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton have raised concerns about one of the nominees, Leonard Steven Grasz, a federal appeals court judge whose confirmation would tip the balance of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of Republican-appointed judges. The senators have not publicly detailed their objections, and the White House has not responded to requests for comment.
The confirmation of Grasz has been a priority for Senate Republicans, who have worked to advance Trump’s judicial nominees at a historically rapid pace. Since taking office, Trump has appointed 234 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices, reshaping the federal judiciary. The 8th Circuit currently has a 6-5 Republican-appointed majority, and Grasz’s confirmation would expand that margin.
The urgency of Trump’s call reflects broader concerns among conservatives about the potential loss of Senate control. Some legal analysts suggest that the window for confirming judges is closing, while others argue that Republicans could still push through nominees in a lame-duck session. The Senate Judiciary Committee has not yet scheduled a vote on Grasz’s nomination, and no further action is expected before the new Congress convenes.
The political stakes of judicial confirmations have grown as the Supreme Court’s conservative majority faces long-term uncertainty. Justices Clarence Thomas (78) and Samuel Alito (76)—the court’s two oldest conservatives—have been the subject of speculation about potential retirements. Alito has stated he has no plans to retire and intends to serve through at least the current Supreme Court term, which is expected to conclude in late June or early July.
Legal experts note that the loss of Senate control could complicate future Supreme Court nominations, as Democrats would have leverage to block or delay confirmations. Some conservatives have suggested that the remaining Republican-controlled Senate should prioritize confirmations in the lame-duck session, though the feasibility of such efforts remains uncertain.
The White House has not indicated whether it plans to withdraw or renominate any pending judges if the Senate fails to act before January. The administration has also not commented on the potential impact of a Democratic-controlled Senate on future judicial appointments.