President Trump Names Sen. Tom Cotton, Others as Possible Supreme Court Nominees

On Wednesday President Trump released the names of 20 potential U.S. Supreme Court nominees he is adding to the short list he created in 2016.

Among those named as potential Supreme Court justices is U.S. Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas.

In response, Sen. Cotton released a statement, saying, “I’m honored that President Trump asked me to consider serving on the Supreme Court and I’m grateful for his confidence. I will always heed the call of service to our nation. The Supreme Court could use some more justices who understand the difference between applying the law and making the law, which the Court does when it invents a right to an abortion, infringes on religious freedom, and erodes the Second Amendment.”

In his remarks, President Trump said the 20 individuals he named would be jurists in the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Clarence Thomas, and Justice Samuel Alito.

The Trump Administration has made several judicial nominations that impact Arkansas — including Judges Lee Rudofsky, Steve Grasz, David Stras.

Judge Grasz was one of the three judges last month who unanimously decided to unblock four pro-life laws Arkansas passed in 2017. The laws currently are not being enforced pending a hearing before the entire Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

At this point there’s nothing to suggest that President Trump will be making another U.S. Supreme Court nomination anytime soon, but it’s good to know which potential nominees his administration might consider.

You can find the names of all 20 additions to the president’s short list of possible judicial nominees here.

U.S. Senate Confirms Arkansas’ Lee Rudofsky as Federal Judge

On Thursday the U.S. Senate confirmed former state Solicitor General Lee Rudofsky to serve as a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

President Trump nominated Mr. Rudofsky last July to fill the position following the retirement of federal Judge Leon Holmes.

Mr. Rudofsky is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School, and he has experience with constitutional law.

As Solicitor General for the State of Arkansas, Mr. Rudofsky defended state laws and policies in court — including policies that protect taxpayers from subsidizing abortionists like Planned Parenthood.