Senate panel questions Kyle Reardon for Alaska's vacant federal judgeship

Alaska's federal trial court has run without a full bench since 2022. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee questioned the nominee for the empty seat, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon of Anchorage, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.

"The District of Alaska has not been fully constituted as a court since 2022, so we are pleased to be able to fill this remaining vacancy," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in introducing him.

The court lists two active district judges and the vacant authorized judgeship. The seat has been open since Joshua Kindred resigned in July 2024 amid misconduct findings. Alaska News previously covered President Donald Trump's decision to name Reardon. Aaron Christian Peterson was appointed in February.

The gap is not unique. Federal district courts had 36 vacancies as of Feb. 13, 2026. The Federal Bar Association warns that prolonged vacancies swell caseloads and delay cases, with civil litigants sometimes waiting years. A report prepared for the Alaska Supreme Court found that roughly a quarter of Alaskans live away from the road system and lack ready access to the court system.

Murkowski said Reardon spent six years as an Army judge advocate and 15 as a federal prosecutor, seven of them as an assistant U.S. attorney in Alaska. A magistrate judge since 2021, he has handled more than 3,000 criminal and nearly 500 civil matters. He was lead attorney on more than 120 cases, many involving child sexual abuse material or sex trafficking, and tried 10 cases.

She cited a multi-defendant methamphetamine and heroin case he prosecuted involving drugs brought into the Kenai Peninsula: "There was a local law enforcement officer that shared that not only did the drug trade dry up in this area for a period of time, but robberies and violence decreased."

Reardon called the branches of government "separate but equal," each "staying within its lane," and said judges are umpires: "We don't make the law." He added, "I hope to continue that service as United States District Judge for the District of Alaska."

Asked about diversity by Sen. Mazie Hirono, he said courts should hire "the best and the brightest" and that diversity "will take care of itself." Hirono said she did not think that was reality.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he would oppose the panel's nominations, citing nominees' refusal to say who won the 2020 popular vote or to call the Jan. 6, 2021, events an attack on the Capitol. Written questions are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 23, Sen. Chuck Grassley said.