Trump withdraws judicial nominee opposed by Arkansas senators

President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, the Washington Examiner and Bloomberg Law reported. The White House made the decision after both Arkansas Republican senators, John Boozman and Tom Cotton, opposed the elevation of Judge Rudofsky. [1][2][4]

The Washington Examiner and Bloomberg Law both report that President Trump will instead nominate Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Cody Hiland for the seat. Justice Hiland is the preferred candidate of both Senator Boozman and Senator Cotton. [1][4]

Prior to the withdrawal, President Trump urged the Senate to confirm 25 federal judges before Republicans lose their majority in January, according to the Washington Examiner. The outlet reported that confirming Judge Rudofsky would have given appointees of President Trump a majority on a federal appeals court for the first time. [2]