On April 10, 2018, President
Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Clark to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. On April 12, 2018, his nomination was sent to the
Senate. He was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge
Carol E. Jackson, who retired on August 31, 2017. On July 11, 2018, a hearing on his nomination was held before the
Senate Judiciary Committee. On September 13, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–10 vote. Democrats opposed his nomination due to Clark's positions on abortion and
LGBT rights. On January 3, 2019, his nomination was returned to the President under
Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the
United States Senate. On January 23, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to renominate Clark for a federal judgeship. His nomination was sent to the Senate later that day. On February 7, 2019, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10 vote. On May 21, 2019, the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 53–45 vote. On May 22, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a 53–45 vote. He received his judicial commission on June 12, 2019. He was sworn in on June 14, 2019. He became chief judge on December 16, 2022. == Memberships ==