Senate approves Trump’s initial judicial nominee of second term

Senate Republicans just notched a significant win by confirming President Donald Trump’s first judicial pick of his second term.

In a swift party-line vote on Monday evening, Whitney Hermandorfer secured a lifetime spot on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio, stepping into a seat previously held by a Barack Obama appointee, as the Daily Caller reports.

Let’s rewind a bit: back in May, Trump announced Hermandorfer as his choice, touting her as a “staunch defender” of women’s sports.

First pick signals conservative priorities

At just 38 years old, Hermandorfer brings a resume packed with conservative credentials, including clerkships under Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett, as well as Brett Kavanaugh during his time on the D.C. Circuit.

Currently, she spearheads strategic litigation in the office of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, who recently celebrated a Supreme Court win upholding Tennessee’s ban on certain medical procedures for minors.

It’s no surprise, then, that Senate Republicans, under the leadership of Majority Leader John Thune, are prioritizing judicial confirmations hot on the heels of passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Senate seeks rapid confirmations

Thune himself underscored the mission on Thursday, stating, “Our job now is to continue the good work” from Trump’s first term by filling judicial vacancies with like-minded judges.

Well, mission underway — Hermandorfer’s confirmation marks the 384th roll call vote of the 119th Congress since January, a pace that outstrips every Congress in the past 35 years, per the Senate Republican Communications Center.

The Senate has already processed 92 of Trump’s civilian nominees, nearly doubling the speed seen at this stage of his initial term, despite there being only about 50 federal bench vacancies currently, less than half the number when Trump first took office.

Democrats push back

Of course, not everyone is cheering — Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, refused to agree on a faster timeline for Hermandorfer’s nomination, dragging their feet on the process.

Schumer didn’t hold back on Thursday, calling her “unqualified to serve” on the federal bench.

He went further, claiming she’s built a career “going after” reproductive and transgender rights, as well as anti-discrimination measures — though one might argue that’s just a matter of enforcing existing laws rather than personal vendettas.

Balancing judicial ideals with policy debates

Let’s be fair: Hermandorfer’s record does lean heavily into conservative causes, but isn’t that the point of a president shaping the judiciary with appointees who reflect their administration’s values?

With the Senate Judiciary Committee having advanced five judicial nominations so far, including Hermandorfer’s, it’s clear Republicans are wasting no time in addressing the remaining vacancies — turns out, a mandate to govern comes with a mandate to appoint.

While debates over judicial philosophy will undoubtedly continue, Hermandorfer’s confirmation sets the tone for Trump’s second term, signaling a judiciary that may lean toward traditional values over progressive policies.