Republicans defeat ‘Democratic blockade,’ confirm four Trump picks from Idaho
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- U.S. Senate confirmed four Idahoans, including Bart Davis, as Trump appointees.
- Nominees faced months of partisan gridlock; Republicans changed rules to confirm.
- Confirmed appointees will oversee justice, agriculture, health benefits and diplomacy.
Idaho finally has its next top federal prosecutor.
President Donald Trump nominated Bart Davis, who held the same U.S. attorney position for Trump’s first term, in April to return to the role during his second term. But months of political infighting between Republican and Democrats in the U.S. Senate held up the confirmation of many of the president’s appointees, including Davis.
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Davis in a 51-47 vote along party lines. Three other nominees from Idaho were also approved for presidential appointments: Alex Adams, Gov. Brad Little’s former budget head, as assistant secretary for family support in the Department of Health and Human Services; Michael Boren for under secretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment; and Brandon Judd as U.S. ambassador to Chile.
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, celebrated the picks from his home state officially joining the Trump administration.
“The four Idahoans confirmed by the Senate today are intimately aware of the many commonsense needs of our state,” Crapo said in a statement to the Idaho Statesman. “Their expertise and knowledge will promote the opinions and on-the-ground experiences of Idaho’s constituents at the federal level. I look forward to working with them in these new capacities.”
Boren, cofounder of Boise software company Clearwater Analytics, will now lead the U.S. Forest Service and oversee compliance with environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, also known as NEPA, according to previous Statesman reporting. Boren and his brother have in the past clashed with the Forest Service over land issues in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, where they own property.
“He will work hand in hand with President Trump to fundamentally transform how lands and fires are managed here in the West,” Little said in an earlier statement.
Judd previously worked as a U.S. Border Patrol agent for more than 25 years. He also served as president of the National Border Patrol Council for 11 years, until retiring from the post in May 2024.
“Brandon helped me develop and implement the most effective border security policies in our nation’s history,” Trump said in a statement when he announced Judd’s nomination. “I have also watched as Brandon tirelessly and honorably represented the Border Patrol agents who elected him as their voice in all matters, especially in their efforts to secure our great country’s borders, and keep all Americans safe.
Before Trump’s appointment, Adams was Little’s handpicked director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare since June 2024. Before that, Adams served for five years as the governor’s administrator of Idaho’s Division of Financial Management.
“His professional experience and personal belief system make him well-suited for this role,” said Crapo, who as chair of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee introduced Adams’ nomination. “I am confident in his ability to lead the programs under the administration for children and families.”
The appointments Tuesday come nearly nine months into Trump’s second term after Senate Democrats largely manuevered to block the president’s choices. The chamber’s Republican majority in turn changed Senate rules to move Trump’s appointees through the process in a group rather than one by one.
Davis is a former longtime state lawmaker who also served as Idaho Senate majority Leader. He was one of more than a dozen Trump nominees for U.S. attorney who were confirmed in one action Tuesday.
“I’m proud Senate Republicans broke through the Democrat blockade and successfully confirmed 16 U.S. attorneys to serve their respective communities. We won’t allow Democrats to stand in the way of Americans’ safety and well-being,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement.
It is unclear if acting U.S. Attorney for Idaho Justin Whatcott, who filled the position while Davis awaited Senate confirmation, will remain with the office. An email to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho received an auto-reply that responses will be held over until the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
The four appointed Idahoans now join another state resident, Tom Schultz, in the presidential administration. Schultz, a former director of the Idaho Department of Lands and vice president of resources and government affairs at logging company the Idaho Forest Group, was named the chief of the U.S. Forest Service in February.
”Congratulations to all of our great Idahoans now officially confirmed by the Senate to serve in President (Donald Trump)’s administration!” Little posted to X. “Idahoans are fortunate to have such great leaders advocating for us at the federal level.”
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
