When It Comes To Judges, Trump Is An ASS Man
Above the Law
by Chris WilliamsMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
When it comes to selecting judges, President Trump has shown a clear preference for graduates of George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, affectionately known as “ASS Law.” Bloomberg Law revealed that in Trump’s second term, more federal judges have been appointed from Scalia Law than any other law school. This shift marks a significant departure from previous administrations’ tendencies to favor elite institutions like Harvard and Yale.
The Scalia Law School is celebrated for its conservative reputation, solidified by its namesake Justice Antonin Scalia’s influential dissent in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, which focused on partisan criticism rather than legal reasoning. Under Trump’s leadership, the administration has prioritized ideological alignment over academic pedigree, with five nominees from Scalia Law set to outnumber appointments from Harvard and Yale combined if confirmed.
This trend reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reshape the judiciary in its image. By favoring schools like Scalia Law, which emphasize conservative legal principles, Trump aims to populate the courts with judges who share his political vision. This approach has significant implications for the judiciary’s future, as these appointees are likely to influence not only current cases but also the next generation of legal professionals through their clerkships.
Critics argue that this focus on ideological loyalty over traditional qualifications could lead to a judiciary less grounded in impartial legal reasoning and more swayed by political agendas. As Trump continues to prioritize schools like Scalia Law, the long-term impact on judicial independence and the rule of law remains a pressing concern for legal observers.
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Originally published on Above the Law on 3/2/2026