Trump to Gain New Fifth Circuit Seat as Appointee Steps Back
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trump-to-gain-new-fifth-circuit-seat-as-appointee-steps-back
President Donald Trump will be able to appoint another member of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, as Judge Kurt Engelhardt will take senior status.
Engelhardt, appointed to the influential and conservative federal appeals court by President Donald Trump during his first term, has told the White House of his intention to step back from the court, according to a person familiar with the correspondence.
A person who answered the phone in Engelhardts chambers declined to comment.
Engelhardts seat is based out of New Orleans, meaning Louisianas Republican senators may have input on whoever fills the vacancy.
News -- President Trump will get a chance to appoint another member of the Fifth Circuit, as Judge Kurt Engelhardt, a Trump appointee, is set to take senior status news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
— Jacqueline Thomsen (@jacqthomsen.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T15:31:04.956Z