The United States Senate on Tuesday advanced the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nominee Anne-Leigh Moe to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. The vote was 53–46. Trump celebrated the confirmation with a post on his Truth Social account, saying he was pleased to announce the nomination of Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to the federal court position.

Trump praised Moe’s record, saying she had strongly advocated for Florida residents as a judge on Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal and previously as a trial judge on Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. He added that she would prioritize “law and order,” contrasting her with what he described as activist judges. Moe has served on the Second District Court of Appeal since 2022 and previously spent nearly a decade as a circuit judge. Earlier in her career, she also worked as an assistant state attorney in Tampa.

Her confirmation represents another judicial appointment victory for the Trump administration as it continues filling vacancies in federal courts. At the same time, political analysis has focused on the ongoing government shutdown. According to CNN data analyst Harry Enten, the shutdown does not appear to be harming Trump politically, and his approval ratings have remained stable despite the standoff in Washington.

Enten compared the situation to the 2018–2019 government shutdown, noting that Trump’s approval rating had declined during that period, while this time it has slightly improved. He said fewer Americans currently blame Trump for the shutdown than during his first term. Meanwhile, Democrats have pledged to block spending legislation that does not extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. With narrow majorities in Congress, Republicans would need support from several Senate Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill and reopen the government. READ MORE BELOW