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Senate Confirms Katie Lane, Trump Nominee Rated Not Qualified

6/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Senate confirmed Katie Lane as a U.S. District Court judge for Montana.
Lane became the first President Donald Trump second-term judicial nominee rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association to be confirmed.
The confirmation vote was 52-46 along party lines, with all Republicans supporting Lane.
The ABA’s Standing Committee said Lane had less than nine years of legal practice and no experience as lead trial counsel.

History

Historical Context

After President George H. W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas in 1991, the Senate confirmed him by a 52-48 vote—the narrowest margin in a century and after a 99-day debate. The episode followed the partisan turning point of the 1987 Robert Bork fight and marked the start of increasingly party-split confirmation votes that shape today’s judicial appointments.

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Story summary

The U.S. Senate confirmed Katie Lane as a U.S. District Court judge for Montana.
Lane became the first President Donald Trump second-term judicial nominee rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association to be confirmed.
The confirmation vote was 52-46 along party lines, with all Republicans supporting Lane.
The ABA’s Standing Committee said Lane had less than nine years of legal practice and no experience as lead trial counsel.

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