In 2016, Donald Trump made history by releasing a list of potential Supreme Court nominees to reassure conservatives of his commitment to appointing judges aligned with their values. This move marked a significant departure from traditional campaign strategies, as Trump openly shared his intentions regarding the Supreme Court.
During his presidency, Trump continued to expand this list, ultimately nominating three justices to the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Sources close to Trump indicate that he plans to release a new list of potential nominees in the near future, should there be a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
Trump's approach involves consulting with conservative legal experts, such as the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, as well as seeking input from GOP members of Congress. His track record of appointing 245 federal judges during his first term provides him with a pool of candidates, many of whom have clerked for prominent conservative justices.
Professional pedigree is expected to be a key consideration for Trump, given that his previous Supreme Court picks all have clerked for notable justices. While an unofficial list of potential candidates has been compiled, Trump's team is still working on finalizing a public list that remains subject to change.
