BOSTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's push to reshape the judiciary with conservative appointments is expected to slow in 2026 as federal court vacancies dwindle, while Democrats look to November's midterm elections as a chance to gain control of the U.S. Senate, and influence the confirmation process.

Trump concluded his first year back in office with 26 judicial nominees confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, exceeding the 19 he appointed during the initial year of his first term when he shifted the courts' ideological balance to the right.

But a shortage in vacancies is limiting Trump's ability to submit additional nominees to the Senate for its consideration. Trump took office on January 20, 2025, with 45 seats on the bench either open or expected to be vacated. Only 30 more seats have become available to fill since then, compared to the 108 vacancies that awaited Trump when he first took office in January, 2017.

"New vacancies have been few and far between," said John Collins, a law professor at George Washington University.