Kara Westercamp

Kara Marie Westercamp (born June 24, 1982) is an American lawyer and judge. She worked as a trade attorney for the United States Department of Justice Civil Division before serving as an associate White House Counsel in the second Trump administration. In February 2026, Westercamp was nominated by President Donald Trump for a seat on the United States Court of International Trade.

Early life and education Kara Marie Westercamp was born on June 24, 1982, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Barbara and Keith Westercamp. Her mother worked as a teacher and her father worked as a bank executive. She graduated in 2005 with both a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and management and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Iowa. She graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa College of Business and a Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2009.

Career Westercamp served as a law clerk for John Alfred Jarvey, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, from 2009 to 2011. She later worked as a trade attorney for the United States Department of Justice, specifically in the department's Civil Division, arguing cases before the United States Court of International Trade. She also argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims. President Donald Trump referred to Westercamp as a "very experienced trade lawyer" and stated that she was committed to his "America First" agenda.

Federal judicial service

On February 12, 2026, Westercamp was nominated by President Trump to fill Stephen Vaden's vacancy on the United States Court of International Trade.

During her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 25, 2026, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Democratic Whip and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Westercamp about her past social media posts, including repeatedly referring to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as "Cocaine Mitch" and retweeting a post accusing him of "embody[ing] everything that's wrong with politics" as well as a post saying that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is "true to NO ONE, but [his] own self-preservation". Westercamp apologized for the posts and stated she regretted making them. Senator Durbin questioned her temperament for a lifetime appointment. When questioned by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on who won the 2020 presidential election, she stated that "in 2020, President Biden was certified by the Electoral College."

On April 30, 2026, the Judiciary Committee reported her nomination to the floor on a 12–10 party line vote. On July 16, 2026, the Senate invoked cloture on her nomination 49–48. On July 21, 2026, the Senate confirmed her nomination by a 50–48 vote. She received her judicial commission on August 10, 2026.

Personal life Westercamp is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Capital Area Iowa Club in Washington, D.C.