Nominations Sent to the Senate
1/5/2026
Action Summary
- Nominations Sent to the Senate: President submitted multiple nominations for key judicial and prosecutorial positions.
- U.S. Attorney Positions:
- Andrew Benson (Maine) for U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine (4-year term; replacing Darcie N. McElwee).
- William Boyle (North Carolina) for U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina (4-year term; replacing Michael F. Easley, Jr.).
- Kevin Holmes (Arkansas) for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas (4-year term; replacing Duane A. Kees, term expired).
- Zachary Keller (Louisiana) for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana (4-year term; replacing Brandon B. Brown).
- Brian David Miller (Pennsylvania) for U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (4-year term; replacing Gerard M. Karam).
- Richard Price (Missouri) for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri (4-year term; replacing Timothy A. Garrison, term expired).
- Darin Smith (Wyoming) for U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming (4-year term; replacing Mark A. Klaassen, term expired).
- U.S. District Judge Appointments:
- Megan Blair Benton (Missouri) for U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Missouri (replacing M. Douglas Harpool, retired).
- David Clay Fowlkes (Arkansas) for U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Arkansas (replacing Paul Kinloch Holmes, III, retired).
- Nicholas Jon Ganjei (Texas) for U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of Texas (replacing Lynn N. Hughes, retired).
- Brian Charles Lea (Tennessee) for U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Tennessee (replacing John Thomas Fowlkes, Jr., retired).
- Justin R. Olson (Indiana) for U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of Indiana (replacing Jane E. Magnus-Stinson, retired).
- Aaron Christian Peterson (Alaska) for U.S. District Judge in the District of Alaska (replacing Timothy Mark Burgess, retired).
- Other Key Nomination:
- Daniel E. Burrows (Colorado) nominated as Assistant Attorney General (replacing Aaron Reitz, resigned).
Risks & Considerations
- The nominations for judicial and attorney positions largely involve replacements due to retirement or term expiration. This indicates a standard transition without significant policy shifts or new initiatives directly affecting educational institutions like Vanderbilt University.
- The appointment of Brian Charles Lea as United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee may have localized impacts, particularly in legal proceedings that could indirectly affect Vanderbilt, especially if he holds strong views on issues pertinent to higher education or research.
- Consistent changes in federal attorney positions may result in different enforcement priorities or legal interpretations at the district level, potentially impacting research funding compliance or university legal matters.
- While these appointments are critical for maintaining the judicial system’s functionality, they do not present immediate, direct risks or benefits to Vanderbilt’s educational programs or policies.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Law School could use these appointments as case studies or discussion points regarding the impact of district judges and attorneys on local and national legal landscapes.
- The Office of Government and Community Relations may need to stay informed about the viewpoints and legal philosophies of newly appointed district judges, especially if any cases involving the university arise.
Financial Impact
- There is no direct financial impact on Vanderbilt from these appointments as they primarily address continuity in judicial and attorney roles.
- Indirect financial considerations might arise from shifts in legal interpretations affecting research funding or compliance, necessitating a watchful approach to any changes in federal legal priorities.
Relevance Score: 1 (The appointments indicate normal administrative changes with minimal impact on the university.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt Law School might consider analyzing the backgrounds and judicial philosophies of the new nominees for federal judgeships, particularly focusing on Brian Charles Lea from Tennessee. This analysis could offer insights into potential shifts in legal interpretations that could affect future case law and legal education.
- The Department of Political Science can use these nominations as a case study for examining the impact of judicial appointments on regional and national legal landscapes. Engaging students in this analysis could enhance their understanding of the judicial system and its societal implications.
Opportunities
- Vanderbilt could enhance its role in legal education by hosting symposiums or workshops focusing on the implications of recent judicial appointments. Collaborating with legal experts and practitioners could elevate the university’s profile in legal scholarship and public policy discussion.
Relevance Score: 2 (The judicial nominations require minor updates to academic focus and curriculum development within relevant departments.)
Timeline for Implementation
January 5, 2026 – This is the effective date on which the nominations and appointments are sent to the Senate, as indicated in the document.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Multiple nominations for United States Attorney positions as well as an Assistant Attorney General position directly affect the DOJ’s operational leadership and enforcement functions.
- U.S. Federal Judiciary: The nominations for United States District Judge positions across various districts impact the structure and functioning of the federal court system.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 2 primary agencies—the DOJ and the Federal Judiciary—are directly impacted by these nominations.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The text contains only nominations and appointments with no directives for implementation.
Relevance Score: 1 (The content does not include directives that require implementation by officials.)