Trump Nominates Conservative Judges to Key Federal Appeals Courts

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced two new judicial nominations, further advancing his influence over the federal judiciary during his second term. Trump is nominating Maine attorney Joshua Dunlap to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Eric Tung, a California-based lawyer and former federal prosecutor, to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Dunlap, a partner at Pierce Atwood LLP, is Trump’s pick for the only vacancy on the Boston-based 1st Circuit. Notably, this circuit currently has no active judges appointed by Republican presidents. President Biden had previously nominated Julia Lipez to the seat, but her confirmation was not secured before he left office. The 1st Circuit, which oversees New England trial courts, has often ruled against Trump-era policies, making this appointment strategically significant.

Trump praised Dunlap on his platform, Truth Social, calling him “TOUGH and SMART” and someone who will “fearlessly defend our Constitution.”

Eric Tung, a partner at Jones Day in Los Angeles, is nominated for the 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over California, Oregon, and Washington. Tung previously clerked for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Antonin Scalia and held roles at the U.S. Department of Justice. Trump called Tung a “Tough Patriot” who will uphold the rule of law in what he described as “radical, leftist” states.

These appointments mark Trump’s 13th and 14th judicial nominations in his second term, including four appellate court nominees. He previously appointed 234 judges during his first term, reshaping the federal judiciary with a strong conservative tilt.

Trump’s latest picks are seen as an ongoing effort to solidify conservative control across influential appeals courts as legal battles continue over major policy issues.