Judge Dennis Jacobs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is set to take senior status at the end of May, according to a court official. The move by Jacobs, 75, who served as chief judge of the circuit from 2006 to 2013, promises to present another federal appeals court appointment opportunity for President Donald Trump.

Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Jacobs responded to a request for comment by stating with a laugh, “No one thinks this is premature.” He said his change in status was an “appealing,” if not a momentous, change. He indicated he would continue to take on a considerable work load.