Senate Holds First Trump-Era Judicial Hearings

The Senate Judiciary Committee has begun confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump’s new judicial nominees, the first such hearings since Trump returned to office. Whitney Hermandorfer is the first nominee to appear, nominated for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This new round follows over 200 judicial confirmations during Trump’s first term and reflects his administration’s intent to further reshape the federal judiciary. Trump is now more directly involved in judicial selection, emphasizing loyalty and strict constitutionalism after expressing frustration with previous Supreme Court picks. The hearings have reignited partisan debate over the exclusion of the American Bar Association and the increased influence of the Federalist Society, with Democrats warning that lack of external review could reduce nominee quality. Republicans defended the updated vetting process as within the administration's prerogative.