# IF Trump nominated Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court, what would happen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 28, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084 "2026-02-28T19:16:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/21 "2026-03-01T01:53:50Z")
Would Cruz need to give up his senate seat? I know, I know, it’s customary for an appointee to give up their previous position, but… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/22 "2026-03-01T01:59:15Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > You cannot filibuster a court nominee. The reason I mentioned the filibuster is because Der Trihs was suggesting that Trump could simply appoint him without waiting for a vacancy. THAT would require a change in federal law, which can be filibustered. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/23 "2026-03-01T02:00:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Would Cruz need to give up his senate seat? I know, I know, it’s customary for an appointee to give up their previous position, but U.S. Const. Art 1, section 6 > …no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/24 "2026-03-01T02:01:03Z")
Moderating: > [@Smapti](#): > > The reason I mentioned the filibuster is because Der Trihs was suggesting that Trump could simply appoint him without waiting for a vacancy. THAT would require a change in federal law, which can be filibustered. And that’s been hashed out enough in a thread not about filibustering or appointment of a 10th justice. Let’s get back to the discussion posed in the OP, please. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/25 "2026-03-01T03:30:10Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > The rest would just like the idea of getting rid of him. If I were a Senator, and taking it for granted I would hate Ted Cruz, I would cheerfully vote against him and then remind him about it at every opportunity. “Getting rid of him” is hardly worth putting him in a lifetime position of even greater power. As for what Trump said, I’m at a loss as to why anyone would expect that he would actually do anything that he said he would do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/26 "2026-03-01T03:38:25Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > As for what Trump said, I’m at a loss as to why anyone would expect that he would actually do anything that he said he would do. Which explains why the word “IF” is in the title, and is explained in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/27 "2026-03-01T14:05:02Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I can imagine worse appointments. Aileen Luce Cannon, anyone? That was my thought. As much as I hate Ted Cruz, I’d rather have him on the SCOTUS than Aileen “Loose” Cannon. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/28 "2026-03-01T14:31:06Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > who thought he wasn’t qualified When has that been an issue with this administration? Just a quick look at the Cabinet tells the story. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/29 "2026-03-01T17:04:35Z")
The Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett when Trump nominated them. I see no reason why they wouldn’t confirm Ted Cruz. Unless it’s next year and the Democrats win a majority. Then they’ll probably seek payback for the Merrick Garland block. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/30 "2026-03-01T18:50:24Z")
Assuming it’s to replace Alito or Thomas I’m not sure you can actually get any worse. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/31 "2026-03-01T20:42:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett when Trump nominated them. I see no reason why they wouldn’t confirm Ted Cruz. > > Unless it’s next year and the Democrats win a majority. Then they’ll probably seek payback for the Merrick Garland block. I think Gorsuch was a decent choice- a true conservative, instead of just being a “hit man” for Roe. But no, no revenge- the best revenge is living well and putting a couple of solid somewhat liberals on the court. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/32 "2026-03-01T21:00:32Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > As much as I hate Ted Cruz, I’d rather have him on the SCOTUS than Aileen “Loose” Cannon. I wonder how many times Trump would loudly proclaim that he’s just now put a female majority on the Supreme Court? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084/33 "2026-03-02T05:36:06Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Assuming it’s to replace Alito or Thomas I’m not sure you can actually get any worse. Clarence Thomas is 77. Samuel Alito is 75. Ted Cruz is 55. Aileen Cannon is 44. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-nominated-ted-cruz-for-the-supreme-court-what-would-happen/1028084.md?page=1)