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Politics & World • Lawyer

D. John Sauer

D.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

D. John Sauer is an American lawyer who has served as the Solicitor General of the United States since 2025. He previously served as Solicitor General of Missouri from 2017 to 2023 and represented Donald Trump in major Supreme Court litigation, including Trump v. United States.

Early life and education

Sauer was born in 1974. He studied philosophy and engineering at Duke University, earned a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

He worked as a federal prosecutor and in private practice before serving as Missouri's solicitor general. His work has focused heavily on appellate litigation and Supreme Court advocacy. He also clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia and Judge J. Michael Luttig.

Solicitor General of Missouri

From 2017 to 2023, Sauer was Missouri's solicitor general. In that role, he argued cases on behalf of the state, including matters involving abortion, executive authority, and other conservative legal positions.

Solicitor General of the United States

Sauer became the 49th Solicitor General of the United States in April 2025 after being nominated by Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In that office, he serves as the federal government's lead advocate before the Supreme Court. His Senate confirmation passed 52–45 on April 4, 2025.

Key facts

  • Served as the 49th Solicitor General of the United States beginning April 4, 2025.
  • Previously served as Solicitor General of Missouri from 2017 to 2023.
  • Represented Donald Trump in Trump v. United States and other Supreme Court-related matters.
  • His Senate confirmation passed 52–45 on April 4, 2025.
  • He studied at Duke University, the University of Notre Dame, and Harvard Law School.

Frequently asked questions

Who is D. John Sauer?
He is an American lawyer and the Solicitor General of the United States, appointed in 2025.
What did D. John Sauer do before becoming U.S. Solicitor General?
He served as Missouri's Solicitor General from 2017 to 2023 and also worked as a federal prosecutor and private appellate lawyer.
What is D. John Sauer known for?
He is known for Supreme Court advocacy, including representing Donald Trump in Trump v. United States.
When was D. John Sauer confirmed?
The U.S. Senate confirmed him on April 4, 2025, by a vote of 52–45.
Where did D. John Sauer go to school?
He attended Duke University, the University of Notre Dame, and Harvard Law School.

References

  1. U.S. Department of Justice — https://www.justice.gov/osg/staff-profile/solicitor-general-john-sauer
    Supports: Official biography stating he became the 49th Solicitor General of the United States on April 4, 2025 and previously served as Missouri Solicitor General.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._John_Sauer
    Supports: Provides birth date, education, career chronology, and confirmation date; used here only for biographical details also reflected in other sources.
  3. Justia — https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/d-john-sauer-1666376
    Supports: Lists education at Duke University, University of Notre Dame, and Harvard Law School.
  4. Federalist Society — https://fedsoc.org/contributors/d-john-sauer
    Supports: States he served as Missouri Solicitor General, clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia and Judge J. Michael Luttig, and worked in private practice and as a federal prosecutor.
  5. SCOTUSblog — https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/11/trump-taps-lawyer-who-argued-his-immunity-case-for-solicitor-general/
    Supports: Reports on his nomination to be U.S. Solicitor General and his role in Trump's immunity case.