Trump Nominates Whitney Hermandorfer to Sixth Circuit Court

Former President Donald Trump has announced his first judicial nomination of his second term, selecting Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Hermandorfer, currently a senior lawyer in Tennessee's Attorney General's office, is recognized for her conservative credentials and for defending state laws restricting abortion and transgender rights in sports. Her nomination continues Trump's strategy of appointing judges with strong conservative records and is seen by supporters as an effort to counter perceived liberal activism in the federal judiciary. However, civil rights advocates have criticized the choice, warning that Hermandorfer's record signals a move to undermine protections for reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and other civil liberties. The nomination highlights ongoing political tensions over the federal judiciary, as Democrats and civil rights groups express concern that Trump's picks might prioritize loyalty to his administration over the rule of law. The Senate must still officially receive and confirm Hermandorfer's nomination before she can take the bench.