A number of young and prominent Trump-appointed judges are writing their opinions with provocative language, diving into the culture wars in ways offering an audition for a future Supreme Court opening.

Why it matters: Most judges who are would-be justices try to avoid controversy, preserving themselves for a confirmation hearing. But with the specter of former President Trump mounting another run for office, their opinions may not only create opportunity but curry favor with the person who could fulfill their ambitions.

• During his term, Trump had tremendous impact on the federal bench.
• He appointed 234 judges who will rule on some of the most consequential issues for decades to come.
• One of them, 35-year-old Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, recently — and single-handedly — struck down the federal mask mandate on public transportation.

What we’re watching: James Ho, 45, sitting on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has called abortion a “moral tragedy.”

In his very first opinion about campaign finance, he wrote extrajudicially: “If you don’t like big money in politics, then you should oppose […]