President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, August 13, 2026, that he is nominating Judge Lee Rudofsky to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Trump expressed his pleasure with the nomination in a Truth Social post, stating, "I am pleased to announce the nomination of Lee Rudofsky to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit!"

Judge Rudofsky currently serves as a federal judge for the District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, a position to which Trump originally nominated him in 2019. Prior to his judicial appointments, Rudofsky was the Solicitor General of Arkansas and also served as Assistant General Counsel for Walmart. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Cornell University.

Support for Rudofsky's nomination was voiced by others, with one statement congratulating him and highlighting his "devotion to the rule of law, his fidelity to the Constitution & his unrivaled intellect & legal acumen," calling him an exceptional choice for the Court of Appeals.

The nomination marks a significant step in Rudofsky's judicial career, moving from a federal district court to a federal appellate court within the Eighth Circuit.

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