Trump announces lifetime judicial nominees in Florida, Ohio, and Texas
The nominees could be considered by the Judiciary Committee as soon as April 29.
Trump on Wednesday evening, via Truth Social, announced four more lifetime judicial nominees: Jeffrey Kuntz to the Southern District of Florida, Mike Hendershot to the Northern District of Ohio, Arthur “Rob” Jones to the Southern District of Texas, and John Marck to the Southern District of Texas.
The nominees, who all appear to be white men, could be eligible for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee as early as Wednesday, April 29.
Trump’s posts were characteristically political — noting, for example, that Ohio is a state he loves and “won big, three times.” In his post announcing Hendershot’s nomination, he said that “Mike has strongly, and successfully, represented Ohio in Election Law cases, and challenged the Radical Left Policies of the Obama and Biden Administrations.”
When Trump announced Katie Lane’s nomination to the District of Montana in February, he also hyped up her anti-voting rights record, stating that she has “played a critical role in stopping Voter Fraud as Senior Counsel for Litigation at the Republican National Committee.” With Hendershot’s nomination today, he continues his appointment of individuals who have worked to restrict the right to vote.
Hendershot has served as chief deputy solicitor in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for nearly 15 years and is listed on the brief in Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute — the 2018 Supreme Court decision, written by Justice Samuel Alito, that upheld Ohio’s notorious voter purge law. The state’s solicitor general at the time, Eric Murphy, argued the case and was rewarded during Trump’s first term with a seat on the Sixth Circuit.
Hendershot clerked for Judge Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit, who made headlines in November for his “unhinged dissent” when a court struck down Texas’ unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Just hours after the birthright citizenship oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump referenced immigrants in both of his posts for the Texas nominees, writing that John Marck “has worked tirelessly to help us deport Criminal Illegal Immigrants” and that Rob Jones “understands a Strong Border is a matter of National Security, and has powerfully prosecuted Criminal Illegal Immigrants.”
Both men currently serve in the Southern District of Texas — Marck as the acting US Attorney and Jones as the executive assistant US Attorney. Nick Ganjei, who was previously the US Attorney in the Southern District of Texas, was confirmed in February to the same court that Marck and Jones have been nominated to serve on.
Two other Texas nominees, Chris Wolfe and Andrew Davis, are currently pending on the Senate floor. Both have been nominated to the Western District of Texas, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture on Wolfe’s nomination — teeing up a vote when the Senate returns the week of April 13.
More to come.
I am pasting below Trump’s announcements so you don’t have to visit Truth Social:
It is my Great Honor to nominate Jeffrey Kuntz to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. As the Highly Respected Chief Judge of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, Jeffrey has been TOUGH and SMART, and delivered strong results for the Sunshine State. A proud graduate of Boston College, who earned his J.D. at Suffolk University Law School, Jeffrey has demonstrated his commitment to the Rule of Law throughout his career. He will always defend our Great Constitution, and put our Country, FIRST. Congratulations Jeffrey!
It is my Honor to nominate Mike Hendershot to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio! As Chief Deputy State Solicitor, Mike has strongly, and successfully, represented Ohio in Election Law cases, and challenged the Radical Left Policies of the Obama and Biden Administrations. Mike has a J.D. from University of Virginia, a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University, and distinguished himself as clerk for Judge Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit, and Justice Terrence O’Donnell of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He will be a strong Judge for The Great State of Ohio, which I love, and won big, three times. Congratulations Mike!
I am pleased to nominate Arthur “Rob” Jones to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Before becoming Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Rob was a longtime Assistant U.S. Attorney in Laredo. He understands a Strong Border is a matter of National Security, and has powerfully prosecuted Criminal Illegal Immigrants, and fought tirelessly to stop the flow of Illicit Drugs into our Country. I am confident Rob will continue to put America First in his new role. Congratulations Rob!
I am pleased to nominate John Marck to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. As Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, John has worked tirelessly to help us deport Criminal Illegal Immigrants, and stop the trafficking of Lethal Drugs ravaging our Communities. Throughout his distinguished career, John has demonstrated that he has the Wisdom and Courage necessary to enforce the Rule of Law, and protect the Great People of our Country. I know he will continue to deliver strong results in his new role. Congratulations John!