Donald Trump has begun the new year by putting names to the bench.
Late Tuesday, the U.S. president revealed his first round of federal judicial selections for 2026 through a series of social media posts, continuing his long-running effort to imprint his priorities on the courts during his second term. With only a limited number of vacancies available, each nomination carries added weight.
Among the picks is Andrew Davis, chosen for a district court seat based in Austin, Texas. Davis has built his career at a high-profile appellate-focused firm and earlier served in Texas state government. He is also known in Washington for his time advising Senator Ted Cruz on judicial confirmations and constitutional questions while working with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Another Texas slot is set to be filled by Chris Wolfe, currently serving on the state bench. If confirmed, Wolfe would take up the Waco post in the Western District of Texas, following the relocation of Judge Alan Albright to Austin. Under Albright, Waco became a magnet for patent disputes, drawing national attention—and criticism—for the sheer volume of cases funneled through the court.
For Louisiana’s Eastern District, Trump tapped Anna St. John, a New Orleans-based legal executive who leads a conservative nonprofit known for challenging class action settlements it argues benefit attorneys more than consumers. St. John has also been involved in high-profile policy disputes, including backing the administration’s successful defense against a multi-state challenge to the rollback of certain diversity-focused grant programs.
Trump praised her record in outspoken terms, highlighting her positions on free speech, religious liberty and women’s sports, and predicting she would excel on the bench.
The final nominee in this round is John Shepherd, currently a state judge in Arkansas. Shepherd previously held the top enforcement role in his judicial district and would join the federal court in western Arkansas if confirmed. Trump described him as both formidable and sharp, while also noting his background as a standout college football player. Shepherd is the son of Bobby Shepherd, a longtime federal appeals court judge appointed during the George W. Bush administration.
Together, the nominations signal an early push by Trump to keep shaping the federal judiciary in 2026—one carefully chosen seat at a time.
