Senate Confirms Trump's 235th Judicial Appointment, Ties Biden Record

President Donald Trump secured the confirmation of Whitney Hermandorfer as his first judicial appointment of his second term, bringing his total to 235 lifetime judicial appointments and tying former President Joe Biden's record. Hermandorfer was confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in a 46-42 party-line vote and will serve on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a powerful position influencing rulings on issues such as abortion and civil rights. She previously clerked for three conservative Supreme Court justices appointed during Trump's first term, bolstering the conservative majority on the Court. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, praised her judicial philosophy that emphasizes interpreting laws as written and filling vacancies with constitutional conservatives. Senate Democrats opposed the nomination, citing her limited legal experience and alignment with far-right legal positions reflecting Trump's agenda. This confirmation underscores Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape the federal judiciary with conservative judges during his second term.