Second Trump Term Opens Door to Even More Conservative Judges

Donald Trump is expected to seek out a different kind of judicial nominee during his second term.

The incoming president will rely less heavily on establishment Federalist Society conservatives as he seeks judges who will rule in his favor. He appointed 234 judges in his first term, a significant achievement for Republicans, but some proved a disappointment to Trump after blocking efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Prospective nominees include solicitors general who’ve opposed Biden policies in court, and trial judges who’ve ruled for conservative litigants. Further remaking the judiciary will require an older and more moderate generation of ...