Show-Me State Times

Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley expressed his approval of President Trump's decision to appoint four Missourians to the Eastern District of Missouri's federal bench. Senator Hawley has been collaborating with the White House since early this year to prioritize these appointments.

"This country needs good district court judges now more than ever," said Senator Hawley. "We need judges that are committed to the rule of law and upholding the Constitution, and I'm ecstatic to see President Trump nominate these outstanding individuals to the federal bench."

The nominees include Joshua Divine, Solicitor General of Missouri and former Chief Counsel to Senator Hawley, who attended Yale Law School and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Maria Lanahan, Principal Deputy Solicitor General of Missouri, is also nominated. She attended the University of Chicago School of Law and clerked for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Honorable Cristian Stevens, a Judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals – Eastern District and former First Assistant Attorney General of Missouri, is another nominee. He attended the University of Missouri School of Law and clerked for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Lastly, Zachary Bluestone, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri and former Deputy Solicitor General of Missouri, is nominated. He graduated from Harvard Law School and clerked for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

These nominees will go through a full confirmation process in the United States Senate before assuming their roles on the bench.