The U.S. Senate has confirmed Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, by a 53–46 vote, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s efforts to shape the federal judiciary. Judge Moe brings over 20 years of legal experience, having served on Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal since 2022 and nearly a decade as a circuit judge in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County.
Prior to her judicial career, she worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Tampa and handled complex criminal cases, earning a reputation for advocating victims’ rights. Republicans praised her confirmation as a victory for judicial integrity and faithful application of the law, while Democrats expressed concerns that her conservative record aligns too closely with the administration’s tough approach on crime and immigration. Judge Moe’s appointment is poised to influence major decisions in the busy Middle District of Florida for years to come.
