{"id":2431706,"date":"2025-05-07T03:08:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-announces-his-nominees-for-judicial-positions-in-missouri-and-washington-d-c-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T03:08:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:08:31","slug":"trump-announces-his-nominees-for-judicial-positions-in-missouri-and-washington-d-c-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-announces-his-nominees-for-judicial-positions-in-missouri-and-washington-d-c-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump announces his nominees for judicial positions in Missouri and Washington, D.C. &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-announces-his-nominees-for-judicial-positions-in-missouri-and-washington-d-c-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2431706&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent announcement, President donald Trump revealed his nominees for federal judicial positions in Missouri and Washington, D.C. This follows his earlier nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, who currently serves as the director of the strategic litigation unit in the Tennessee Attorney General\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, Trump nominated five additional candidates: Edward Aloysius O\u2019Connell for Associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and Cristian M. Stevens, Maria A. Lanahan, Zachary M. Bluestone, and Joshua M. Divine for various judgeships in Missouri. O\u2019Connell is currently the chief of staff and deputy general counsel at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Stevens, a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Lanahan, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-likely-to-hold-new-york-law-violates-second-amendment\/\" title=\"Supreme Court Likely to Hold New York Law Violates Second Amendment\">principal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-justice-dept-asks-supreme-court-to-save-obamacare\/\" title=\"Biden Justice Dept. Asks Supreme Court to Save Obamacare\">deputy solicitor general<\/a><\/a> in Missouri, Bluestone, a violent crimes prosecutor, and Divine, the state solicitor general, all have notable legal backgrounds that garnered positive responses from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.<\/p>\n<p>Bailey expressed pride in the nominations, highlighting their contributions to legal excellence in Missouri. He emphasized that the state is a leader in legal talent, reflecting the caliber of nominees being presented for federal judgeships.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump announces his nominees for judicial positions in Missouri and Washington, D.C.<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2115114\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> announced his nominees for several federal judgeships in a press release on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<p>Trump named his first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/judicial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">judicial<\/a> nominee, Whitney Hermandorfer, last week. Hermandorfer would serve on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">United States<\/a> Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit if confirmed. She is currently the director of the strategic litigation unit in the office of the Tennessee Attorney General.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3402742\/conservatives-denounce-trump-doj-defending-abortion-pill\/\">Conservatives denounce Trump&#8217;s DOJ defending abortion pill rules<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3402518\/trump-deportations-second-migrant-ordered-return-from-el-salvador\/\">Trump administration faces order to return second migrant from Salvadoran prison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3402177\/federal-court-orders-certification-2024-north-carolina-supreme-court-race\/\">Federal court orders North Carolina certify 2024 Supreme Court race<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Trump named five others on Tuesday night to serve in various judgeships. Four of them are for judicial appointments in Missouri, and one is for Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>For the judicial position in the nation&rsquo;s capital, Trump nominated <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114462869802626948\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Edward Aloysius O&rsquo;Connell<\/a> for Associate Judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Currently, O&rsquo;Connell is the chief of staff and deputy general counsel of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, according to the release.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For the judicial positions in Missouri, Trump nominated Cristian M. Stevens, Maria A. Lanahan, Zachary M. Bluestone, and Joshua M. Divine. The nominations were well received by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114462869560496665\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Stevens<\/a> is currently a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was previously an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and a partner at a law firm in St. Louis, Missouri, according to the release. He was also the first assistant attorney general and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >deputy attorney general<\/a> for Missouri attorney general&rsquo;s office&rsquo;s crime division. The president nominated Stevens for a judicial position on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lanahan is <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114462868808829711\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">currently<\/a> the principal deputy solicitor general in the Missouri attorney general&rsquo;s office. She previously was the senior manager and litigation counsel for a communications company and an associate at a law firm, noted the release. Both positions were in St. Louis, Missouri. She earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. Lanahan was nominated by the president for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Maria has taken on a wide range of important cases during her time in our office and has played a vital role in this office&rsquo;s success,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ago.mo.gov\/president-trump-names-two-members-of-missouri-attorney-general-offices-team-to-serve-as-federal-judgeships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> Bailey. &ldquo;I am confident she will serve with distinction and judgment as a federal judge.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3398072\/judge-rules-trump-deportations-unlawful-alien-enemies-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>JUDGE RULES TRUMP UNLAWFULLY INVOKED ALIEN ENEMIES ACT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bluestone currently <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114462868084205660\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">serves<\/a> as a violent crimes prosecutor in the United States Attorney&rsquo;s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and an appellate chief. He was also the deputy solicitor general in the Missouri Attorney General&rsquo;s Office. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, according to the release. Trump also nominated him for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.<\/p>\n<p>Divine is currently the solicitor general of the state of Missouri and director of special litigation in the Missouri attorney general&rsquo;s office, the release noted. He previously <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/114462867354665095\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">served<\/a> as deputy solicitor general within Missouri&rsquo;s attorney general&rsquo;s office and on the staff of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) as chief counsel. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School. Trump nominated Divine for a judge position in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Western District of Missouri.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Josh has been the driving force behind some of the most consequential legal battles this office has ever taken on,&rdquo; said Bailey. &ldquo;Whether it was dismantling the Biden Administration&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scotus-nukes-bidens-unlawful-student-loan-bailout-again\/\" title=\"SCOTUS Nukes Biden&#039;s Unlawful Student Loan Bailout \u2014 Again\">unlawful student loan bailout<\/a> or shutting down radical attempts to harm Missouri children, Josh brought precision, grit, and leadership every step of the way. His impact has fundamentally changed the legal landscape in Missouri and across the country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bailey announced he was proud of the nominations and how it was a great moment for the state of Missouri.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a proud moment for our office and the state of Missouri,&rdquo; said Bailey. &ldquo;Josh and Maria are two of the finest legal minds in America. Their work has set the gold standard for legal excellence, and their nominations are a testament to the powerhouse team we have built in Missouri.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He touted his state&rsquo;s judicial talent and accomplishments.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Missouri is leading the nation in legal talent, and these nominations prove it,&rdquo; Bailey added. &ldquo;If you want to serve in the highest levels of the American legal system, there is no better place to be than the Missouri Attorney General&rsquo;s Office.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2115114\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2115114\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump reveals judicial nominees for Missouri and D.C<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2431707,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-business-sentiment.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[54747,8584,8163,3634,40583],"class_list":["post-2431706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-judicial-positions","tag-missouri","tag-nominees","tag-trump","tag-washington-d-c"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-business-sentiment.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2431706"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2431710,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431706\/revisions\/2431710"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2431707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2431706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2431706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2431706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}