Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Among Newly Confirmed Trump Judges

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain, nominated by President Donald Trump in October, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a federal judgeship on the Eastern District Court in New Orleans.

Crain was approved in a 49–46 vote on Dec. 9, with Republican Sens. John Kennedy — who recommended Crain to the White House — and Bill Cassidy voting in favor. Three senators did not vote.

Another Trump nominee, former U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, is still awaiting Senate action for a seat on the federal bench covering Louisiana’s Western District, which includes Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Monroe.

Van Hook is a graduate of Centenary College and LSU’s law school and has spent much of his legal career practicing in Shreveport, USA Today reported.

“I have total confidence that Alexander will continue to serve his state and our country with great distinction in this new role,” Trump said after nominating Van Hook in October.

Both Crain and Van Hook cleared the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on which Kennedy sits in November.

“Former acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain are both intelligent and experienced lawyers, and I have every confidence that President Trump made the right choice in nominating them to be district judges in Louisiana,” Kennedy said.