Grassley rushes Trump judicial picks
The gist
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley is defending his pace confirming President Donald Trump's judicial picks.
He is term-limited at the panel and leaving the chairmanship in January.
How it unfolded
- Dec 23, 2025At a December hearing, Grassley said he'd "like to process even more judicial nominations, but I'm waiting on the President to get those nominations up here."
- Aug 11, 2026Nominations including Daniel Domenico for the Tenth Circuit and district picks for Texas and Ohio awaited floor votes; Anna St. John (Fifth Circuit, Louisiana) and an Alabama trial court pick still had to clear the Judiciary Committee.
- Oct 15, 2026Grassley was completing nominations faster than during Trump's first administration, with district judge turnaround three times faster.
Key terms
- term-limited
- Describes an officeholder barred by law from running for another term in that office.
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- A standing committee of U.S. senators that oversees the Justice Department, considers judicial and executive nominations, and reviews legislation.
- lame duck
- The period after an election but before the successor takes office, when outgoing officials still serve.
Source: Wikipedia