Senate Panel Advances Trump’s First Appeals Court Nominee (1)

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Donald Trump’s pick for a seat on the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as it meets to advance the first batch of judicial nominees of his second term.

The panel voted 12-10, along party lines, on Thursday in favor of Whitney Hermandorfer, who currently directs the strategic litigation unit at the Tennessee attorney general’s office.

Hermandorfer notably defended Tennessee’s near total ban on abortions in instances when life-threatening pregnancy complications arise and challenged a Biden-era rule prohibiting discrimination against transgender students under Title IX.

She also signed onto an amicus brief at the Supreme Court in favor of Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship and against the use of nationwide rulings.

She previously worked for Williams and Connolly LLP and clerked for Supreme Court justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett.

Hermandorfer said during her confirmation hearing she believes that court orders must be followed, and that a court judgment “absolutely binds the parties.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), said Hermandorfer is “qualified to serve” and “will be a tireless advocate for our Constitution.”

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the committee’s top Democrat, criticized her as a lawyer with “MAGA credentials” and not enough years of experience. Hermandorfer graduated law school 10 years ago, and she spent four years in clerkships.

The panel also voted to advance Trump’s nominees for four other federal trial court seats in Missouri and two top prosecutor spots in Idaho and Pennsylvania. The district court nominees heading to the Senate floor are Missouri Solicitor General Joshua Divine and his principal deputy Maria Lanahan, as well as federal prosecutor Zachary Bluestone and state court judge Cristian Stevens.