WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate voted 48-43 on Monday to confirm Justin Smith to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, placing another attorney who has represented President Donald Trump into a lifetime position on the federal bench.
Smith was confirmed to serve on the St. Louis-based appellate court, which hears federal appeals from Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Federal appeals courts are often the final stop for cases before potential review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Before his confirmation, Smith served as one of President Trump’s personal attorneys and became a prominent figure in several legal matters involving the president. Most recently, he has acted as Trump’s lead attorney before the U.S. Supreme Court in the president’s effort to overturn or reduce the damages awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll.
Carroll won two separate civil cases against Trump in federal court. In one case, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. In a separate defamation case, another jury awarded Carroll approximately $83.3 million after finding that Trump made defamatory statements about her following the initial verdict.
Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and has pursued appeals challenging both the findings and the damages awards. Smith has represented Trump in those appellate proceedings, including filings before the Supreme Court seeking further review of the cases.
The confirmation adds Smith to a growing number of judges appointed during Trump’s second administration. As a judge on the Eighth Circuit, Smith will participate in reviewing appeals involving federal criminal cases, constitutional disputes, regulatory challenges, and other matters arising from federal courts within the circuit’s jurisdiction.
Federal appellate judges serve lifetime appointments under Article III of the Constitution, meaning Smith is expected to remain on the bench unless he resigns, retires, or is removed through impeachment by Congress.
The Senate vote concluded a confirmation process that drew attention because of Smith’s role in representing Trump in high-profile litigation. Supporters argued that his legal experience and appellate advocacy qualified him for the position, while opponents raised concerns about appointing a lawyer closely associated with the president to a federal judgeship.
With the confirmation complete, Smith will now join the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and begin hearing cases as one of the court’s active judges.
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By A. Paul, Staff Reporter contributed to this report.
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