ST. LOUIS – Four Missourians have been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as federal judges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, a move that could reshape the judicial landscape of the St. Louis region.
In what is considered to be a “historic first” for the president, Trump has selected three Missouri attorneys, and a Missouri Court of Appeals judge to fill federal court vacancies.
The four nominees include:
- Joshua Divine – Solicitor General of the State of Missouri.
- Maria Lanahan – Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the State of Missouri.
- Cristian Stevens – Judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals – Eastern District.
- Zachary Bluestone – Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri.
Divine and Lanahan from Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s Office, were both highlighted as being “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,” Bailey added.
All four nominees were also praised by Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt in a news release on Tuesday.
“President Trump’s historic transformation of our federal judiciary was among the greatest successes of his first term, and with these well qualified, proven nominees President Trump is continuing that legacy,” Schmitt said.
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley also commended the president’s nominee choices, including Divine, who served as Hawley’s former chief counsel.
“We need judges that are committed to the rule of law and upholding the Constitution, and I’m ecstatic to see President Trump nominate these outstanding individuals to the federal bench,” Hawley added.
The nominees are expected to undergo a full confirmation process within the Senate before being able to take their respective seats.