Trump nominates Greenville attorney for South Carolina federal judge

Sheria Clarke would be the first African American woman to hold the position.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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President Trump has nominated Greenville attorney Sheria Clarke to be the next federal judge for South Carolina. If confirmed, Clarke would be the first African American woman to hold the position.

Why it matters

The nomination of an African American woman to a federal judgeship in South Carolina is historically significant, as the state has had few minority judges on the federal bench.

The details

Sheria Clarke is a Greenville-based attorney with over 15 years of legal experience. Her nomination to the federal bench in South Carolina would make her the first African American woman to hold the position.

  • President Trump nominated Sheria Clarke on February 13, 2026.

The players

Sheria Clarke

A Greenville-based attorney with over 15 years of legal experience, nominated by President Trump to be the next federal judge for South Carolina.

President Trump

The current President of the United States who nominated Sheria Clarke for the federal judgeship in South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“This is a historic nomination that will bring much-needed diversity to the federal bench in South Carolina.”

— Sheria Clarke, Nominee for South Carolina Federal Judge (The State)

What’s next

The U.S. Senate must now hold confirmation hearings and vote on whether to approve Sheria Clarke's nomination to the federal judgeship.

The takeaway

The nomination of Sheria Clarke, an African American woman, to the federal bench in South Carolina represents an important step towards greater diversity and representation in the judicial system.