Judge Is First Trump Circuit Appointee to Take Senior Status

April 7, 2026, 2:40 PM UTC

Judge Ralph Erickson on the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit will take senior status, making him the first Donald Trump appellate appointee to take semi-retirement.

Erickson, who was initially nominated by George W. Bush to a district court judgeship, will step back from active service upon the confirmation of a successor, according to a federal judiciary website.

He said in an email that it has been “a great honor” to serve as a judge for the past 23 years, and that he looks forward to continuing to work with the appellate and district courts as a senior ...

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