Trump floats Ted Cruz as Supreme Court justice, says he would breeze through Senate confirmation

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times - Wednesday, October 28, 2026

President Trump is floating Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas as a potential pick if a Supreme Court seat opens up.

Mr. Trump said it would be an easy confirmation battle because senators want to get rid of him.

“I would pick Ted Cruz to be the next Supreme Court justice,” Mr. Trump said in Lubbock, Texas. “Wouldn’t even have to make a phone call.”

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Mr. Cruz is a conservative who went to Harvard Law School and served as Texas solicitor general. He has served in the Senate since 2013. He earned a reputation as a hard-charging legislator early on, when he led an ill-fated attempt to defund Obamacare before it fully launched.

“The Democrats will 100% vote for it because they hate the guy and want to get rid of him,” Mr. Trump said at the campaign rally. “The Republicans would 100% vote for it, because they can’t stand him. They would like to get rid of him. So I’d get 100% of the vote, and he would be a Supreme Court justice and he’d do a great job.”

Mr. Cruz ran for president in 2016 but lost the primary to Mr. Trump. He is considered among the Republicans who might run in 2028 to replace Mr. Trump after his second term.

Mr. Trump, who picked three Supreme Court justices during his first term, is mindful of rumors that Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito might retire. Republicans hold a Senate majority, but Democrats are looking for a net gain of four seats in November’s midterms to retake the chamber.