Republican senators stall Trump's judicial nominees over selection process

Detailed summary

Republican senators blocked or delayed several of Donald Trump's judicial nominees. The revolt underscores demands for greater home-state influence over lifetime appointments.

Several Republican senators are blocking or delaying some of US President Donald Trump's judicial nominees, complicating the White House's effort to leave a lasting imprint on the judiciary before the party loses its Senate majority.

Concerns raised by senators from Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma have led to the withdrawal of one appeals court nominee and delayed other nominations. The dispute centres on senators seeking a greater say in judicial appointments, particularly those linked to their home states.

Outgoing Texas Senator John Cornyn has expressed reservations about Elliot Gaiser, a senior Justice Department official nominated for a federal judgeship in the Dallas area. Arkansas' two Republican senators opposed Trump's nominee for an appeals court seat, forcing the White House to withdraw the nomination this week. In Oklahoma, an appointed Republican senator has raised objections to a district court nominee after initially approving him.

Cornyn and retiring North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have used their positions to block nominations on behalf of Republican senators who are not on the panel.

Although the dispute follows midterm losses that weakened Trump's political standing, it is largely about Republican senators asserting their authority over the administration's selection of judges, especially in their home states.

Asked about his opposition to the Arkansas and Oklahoma nominees, Tillis said he wanted the administration to listen to senators' views on prospective judges. His message to the White House was: "Don't treat us like a manufacturing facility. Treat us like the US Senate."

"I'm not making a judgment about the merit of the nominee. I'm calling a foul on a process," Tillis told the Associated Press. "And the sooner the White House gets that, the more productive this next two years will be. If they don't, they do so at their own peril."

Trump had nominated Lee Rudofsky of Arkansas to the 8th Circuit…

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