Trump Renominates Chad Meredith for Federal Judgeship \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump announced he’s nominating Kentucky attorney Chad Meredith for a federal judgeship, reviving a contentious battle previously halted under Biden. The nomination could face resistance from Sen. Rand Paul, who blocked it in 2022. Meredith is strongly backed by Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Quick Looks
- Trump plans to nominate Chad Meredith for a federal judgeship in Kentucky.
- Meredith previously faced opposition from Sen. Rand Paul, halting a 2022 nomination attempt.
- Sen. Mitch McConnell strongly supports Meredith, calling him an “outstanding choice.”
- Meredith defended anti-abortion laws as Kentucky’s solicitor general and deputy counsel.
- Trump praised Meredith as a “courageous patriot” committed to the Constitution.
- Rand Paul’s stance remains unclear; his office did not comment on the new nomination.
- The Senate’s “blue slip” tradition gives home-state senators influence over district nominees.
- The 2022 nomination attempt under Biden was abandoned amid Democratic backlash.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump’s latest judicial nominee is already reigniting old political tensions in Kentucky and Washington. On Wednesday, Trump announced his intention to nominate Chad Meredith, a conservative attorney with deep ties to Kentucky’s political and legal establishment, to a federal judgeship in the state. The move revisits a contentious episode from 2022, when a similar nomination under then-President Joe Biden collapsed amid intra-party resistance and accusations of backroom dealing.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump heralded Meredith’s credentials and conservative judicial philosophy, calling him “highly experienced and well qualified.” He added, “Chad is a courageous Patriot who knows what is required to uphold the Rule of Law, and protect our Constitution.”
Meredith’s nomination carries echoes of a political drama that unfolded three years ago when the Biden administration reportedly considered nominating him to a federal judgeship as part of a quiet arrangement with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Meredith, who served as Kentucky’s solicitor general and as chief deputy general counsel under former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, has built a reputation as a staunch defender of Kentucky’s anti-abortion laws—a stance that drew sharp criticism from abortion rights groups and Democratic lawmakers when his potential nomination surfaced in 2022.
The timing back then was particularly volatile: Biden’s rumored support for Meredith came just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating federal protections for abortion access. Progressive organizations and lawmakers erupted in protest at the thought of the Democratic president nominating a lawyer who had actively defended abortion restrictions.
Ultimately, the nomination never materialized—not because of policy disputes over Meredith himself, but due to procedural resistance from within Biden’s own party. Specifically, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., publicly expressed opposition—not directly to Meredith, but to how McConnell handled the nomination. Paul accused his fellow Kentuckian of cutting a “secret deal” with the Biden White House without consulting him, and indicated he would use his influence to block the appointment. His opposition effectively tanked the effort.
Now that Trump has picked up where Biden left off, Meredith is once again in the spotlight. While McConnell reaffirmed his enthusiastic support on Wednesday—calling Trump’s pick “an outstanding choice”—it remains to be seen whether Paul will reprise his procedural objections.
“His demonstrated devotion to the rule of law and the Constitution will serve the people of Kentucky well on the federal bench,” McConnell said in a statement. The Senator’s backing is crucial, but Paul’s silence may prove even more decisive.
That’s because the Senate still adheres to the long-standing “blue slip” tradition, which gives senators the ability to effectively veto federal district court nominees from their home states. The custom has eroded somewhat for appellate court nominees, but remains a powerful tool in confirming district judges. When the Biden administration considered Meredith in 2022, it honored Paul’s objection under this rule, and the nomination was shelved.
Paul has made no substantive criticisms of Meredith himself. His past opposition appeared to center on his exclusion from discussions and the perception that McConnell was maneuvering behind closed doors. It’s not yet clear whether Trump’s direct nomination of Meredith will sidestep those concerns—or reignite them.
Should Paul support the nomination or choose not to obstruct it, Meredith’s confirmation could proceed relatively smoothly, especially with Republicans holding sway over the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has shown no signs that he would override the blue slip custom, meaning Paul’s input remains pivotal.
This nomination also underscores the lasting impact of judicial appointments on presidential legacies. Trump made reshaping the federal judiciary a centerpiece of his first term, and his second term appears to be continuing that trend. By reviving Meredith’s stalled nomination, Trump is not only rewarding loyalty and conservative credentials but also signaling a return to unfinished business left behind by previous political scuffles.
As Trump’s nomination advances, all eyes will be on Sen. Paul. His decision will determine whether Chad Meredith finally secures a lifetime seat on the federal bench—or whether the political tug-of-war over judicial appointments in Kentucky enters another round.
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