The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, historically known for its liberal leanings, has undergone a notable ideological shift in recent years. This transformation has influenced ongoing discussions about dividing the circuit, a topic that has resurfaced periodically over the past few decades.
During his first term, President Donald Trump appointed ten judges to the Ninth Circuit, significantly altering its composition. This shift continued into his second term, with the recent announcement that Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta plans to assume senior status, providing another opportunity for a conservative appointment. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-gains-first-new-appellate-court-vacancy-with-9th-circuit-seat-2025-03-17/?utm_source=openai))
Despite these changes, efforts to split the Ninth Circuit persist. In July 2025, Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch of Idaho reintroduced the Judicial Reorganization Act, proposing the creation of a new Twelfth Circuit to alleviate the Ninth Circuit’s caseload. ([crapo.senate.gov](https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-reintroduce-bill-to-split-ninth-circuit-court-of-appeals?utm_source=openai))
Opponents of the split argue that the Ninth Circuit’s processing times are comparable to other circuits and that dividing it would incur unnecessary costs. Senator Dianne Feinstein has described such proposals as a “needless waste of taxpayer dollars.” ([judiciary.senate.gov](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/feinstein-on-ninth-circuit-split-unnecessary-needless-waste-of-taxpayer-dollars?utm_source=openai))
The debate over splitting the Ninth Circuit reflects broader discussions about judicial efficiency and ideological balance. While the court’s rightward shift has addressed some conservative concerns, the push to divide the circuit continues, driven by arguments about caseload management and regional representation.