Trump Nominated North Carolina Federal Judges
The nominations of Brian S. Meyers and Philip L. Aubart could soon reshape the federal bench in North Carolina.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
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President Donald Trump has nominated Brian S. Meyers and Philip L. Aubart to serve as U.S. District Judges in North Carolina. These nominations require confirmation by the U.S. Senate to move forward.
Why it matters
Federal district judges manage the court dockets that dictate the timing and outcomes of commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement, and contract disputes for businesses operating in North Carolina.
Brian S. Meyers has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge since October 2020, following his tenure as an Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2018 to 2020. The scope of these appointments covers the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina.
The players
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who holds the authority to nominate federal judges.
Brian S. Meyers
A current U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina with experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Philip L. Aubart
The First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina nominated for the federal bench.
Thom Tillis
A U.S. Senator representing North Carolina who recommended the judicial nominees.
Ted Budd
A U.S. Senator representing North Carolina who recommended the judicial nominees.
The details
Federal district judges are appointed by the president and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, Meyers will transition from his current role as a U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court, where he will oversee civil and criminal dockets that frequently impact regional business operations, including those in hubs like Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Timeline
Meyers served as an Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney starting in 2018.
Meyers ended his tenure as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2020.
Meyers began his current role as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in October 2020.
President Trump officially announced the judicial nominations on September 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
The nomination of federal judges follows the constitutional mandate requiring Senate confirmation for life-tenured judicial roles. This process is a foundational step in maintaining the stability and consistency of the federal bench in the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina.
Business operators should monitor Senate confirmation proceedings to anticipate potential changes in judicial philosophies regarding commercial regulation and litigation. Legal teams should review how potential shifts in judicial bench composition might affect pending cases or long-term risk assessments in North Carolina.
The takeaway
Judicial appointments have a long-term impact on the speed and interpretation of commercial law in the state. Operators should track the Senate committee progress of Meyers and Aubart to understand potential changes to the federal court environment in North Carolina.
Further reading
For more on shifting leadership and judicial appointments, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JoCo Report.
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