Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened a nominations hearing on February 4, 2026, to consider candidates for Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and four federal district court judgeships.
The nominees before the committee were Robert Cekada for ATF Director; Andrew Davis for the Western District of Texas; Judge John Shepherd for the Western District of Arkansas; Anna St. John for the Eastern District of Louisiana; and Judge Christopher Wolfe for the Western District of Texas.
Grassley addressed concerns about judicial activism in his opening statement. "I’ve repeatedly spoken about the need for judges to remain in their constitutional lane. They must interpret and uphold the law in a neutral and impartial manner," he said. "They serve the rule of law, not a political ideology or personal position."
He praised each nominee’s qualifications. On Andrew Davis, Grassley said: "Mr. Davis has had an impressive career across all branches of the government... This range of experience will benefit him on the bench." For Judge Shepherd: "He’s litigated both civil and criminal cases... continuing his career of service with distinction." He noted Anna St. John's background in litigation and advocacy: "Ms. St. John also fought to protect the First Amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty, and she’s done great work advocating to protect women’s sports." Of Judge Wolfe: "Judge Wolfe tirelessly worked to protect Americans against the scourge of drug trafficking and white-collar fraud... gaining experience that will serve him well on the federal bench."
Regarding Robert Cekada's nomination as ATF Director, Grassley stated: "Mr. Cekada has had an extensive career protecting Americans at the state and federal level... He knows how to lead the Bureau because he’s tirelessly worked throughout the chain-of-command." Grassley highlighted Cekada's involvement in major investigations into violent gangs such as MS-13.
Grassley also referenced support from law enforcement organizations for Cekada's nomination: "The Committee has received nearly a dozen letters from law enforcement organizations commending Mr. Cekada and endorsing his nomination."
He discussed his own interactions with Cekada during a recent whistleblower case involving alleged retaliation within ATF management practices under the Biden Administration: "Mr. Cekada worked closely with my staff to bring this resolution forward... I commend his strong leadership and aggressive efforts to find a solution for this brave whistleblower."
Before concluding, Grassley reminded participants that questions would be limited due to time constraints.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation, overseeing federal law enforcement agencies like ATF, evaluating judicial nominations, and influencing constitutional protections nationwide through its legislative duties (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/). The committee is led by a chairperson who manages hearings attended by senators from both major parties (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/). As a standing committee based in Washington D.C., it exerts influence over civil rights, public safety, legal matters, and federal judiciary appointments across the United States (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/).
