When most people think of elections, they tend to focus on the big names – presidents, senators, and governors, but one of the most powerful and lasting impacts any president can have is through the judges they appoint to the federal courts. These judges don’t just serve for a few years, they serve – they are appointed for life. That means their decisions can shape American life for generations, long after any president leaves office.
With this in mind, this matters deeply. But why? Because federal judges rule on the most pressing and personal issues we face: reproductive freedom, voting rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+ protections, environmental safeguards, corporate accountability –– and the list goes on. And right now, we’re getting a troubling preview of what another Trump term could mean for the courts.
A resource from Accountable.US reveals that Trump has already started floating names for judicial nominees – and their records are raising major red flags.
We’ll break down who these nominees are, and why they’re so concerning – and what’s really at stake for our democracy, our rights, and our futures. Because when it comes to the courts, what we don’t know can hurt us.
Diving in – let’s focus on who the nominees are.
They come from a playbook that’s all too familiar. Most have records that show:
- Hostility toward reproductive rights
- Opposition to LGBTQ+ protections
- Skepticism of voting rights expansions
- A deep love affair with corporate power over people
Why Does This Matter So Much?:
Federal judges are appointed for life. They don’t just interpret laws – they shape them. That means the decisions they make today could affect our lives for decades. In recent years, we’ve seen how one judge’s ruling can:
- Ban or restrict access to abortion across entire states
- Block protections for transgender youth
- Gut voting access for Black and brown communities
- Strip away regulations on polluters and big banks
Once confirmed, there’s not much anyone can do to undo it. These judges are nearly impossible to remove. That means the choices made today could directly impact your rights 10, 20, even 30 years from now.
Who Are These Judges?
These are just a couple of names from Trump’s early list:
- Kathryn Kimball Mizelle – best known for overturning the CDC’s mask mandate during the pandemic. She was rated “Not Qualified” by the American Bar Association when Trump first nominated her in 2020.
- Ryan Holte – questioned whether civil rights protections in the workplace are even necessary. He’s made it clear he believes in limiting government power, even when that means fewer protections for workers and communities.
A Bigger Strategy At Play
These early nominations are part of a coordinated plan. Trump isn’t just randomly naming people – he’s signaling to conservative legal groups and mega-donors that he’s ready to rubber stamp their agenda again.
Groups like the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation are already publishing 2025 “playbooks” for Trump to follow, and these judges are Chapter One.
This isn’t about legal philosophy. It’s about power – who has it, who keeps it, and who’s kept out.
What Can We Do About It?
This isn’t a hopeless story. The fact that these names are being released early gives us a head start, too.
- Stay Informed: Resources like Accountable.US can help shed light on what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Communicate About It: Share this information with your community. Judges don’t make headlines often, but they shape our daily lives.
The Bottom Line:
These nominees aren’t just “legal experts” getting quietly slotted into job openings. They are ideological power players who could reshape American rights and freedoms for a generation. They are part of a long-game to roll back rights and tilt the system toward the powerful.
Let’s keep our eyes wide open and fight for a fair, just, and people-centered judiciary.