Democrats’ Senate Majority Limits Trump’s Judicial Picks

Democrats are projected to take control of the U.S. Senate with at least 54 seats in January, sharply limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to secure confirmation of additional federal judges or a Supreme Court nominee. Alaska and Mississippi Senate races remained unresolved, so the party’s final margin was not settled. The new Senate is scheduled to take office January 3, 2027. Until then, Republicans retain control during the lame-duck session, leaving a limited period for action on Trump’s pending judicial nominees. The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled two hearings beginning November 10, and the committee could consider nine nominees at them. Another 13 nominees have already appeared before the panel and could be considered by the full Senate before Christmas, according to a report on the committee’s schedule. Trump’s Senate allies confirmed 56 federal judges during his second term, in addition to 234 judicial appointments during his first term, according to reported confirmation totals. Once Democrats take control, they will have the votes to block nominees, though the eventual pace of confirmations will depend on Senate decisions and any agreements between the...