President Donald Trump on Friday took steps to further cement his mark on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, an appellate court he has frequently criticized for ruling against his administration’s policies. 

The White House announced that the president intends to nominate veteran San Diego prosecutor Patrick Bumatay and former Nevada Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke to seats set to come open as Ninth Circuit Judges Carlos Bea of California and Jay Bybee of Nevada take senior status. Both sitting judges have indicated to the president that they will take on the reduced senior role, once their replacements are nominated and confirmed.