President Trump has officially nominated Alaska Senior Assistant Attorney General Aaron Peterson to the U.S. District Court bench.

“Because he has fought to protect The Last Frontier’s greatest assets, including its people, Aaron has proven he has the Wisdom and Courage to get the job done,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “I know that Aaron will strongly uphold our Constitution, and make the people of his incredible State proud. Congratulations Aaron!”

Peterson is a born and raised Alaskan from Eagle River.

Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox congratulated his colleague.

“Aaron is an exceptional choice,” Cox stated on Nov. 13. “His vast knowledge of both civil and criminal law makes him uniquely suited for this position.”

Cox praised Peterson’s recent work on high-stakes civil litigation concerning Alaska’s sovereign interests, saying this showcases his dedication and integrity.

“As President Trump has said, Aaron has fought to protect Alaska’s greatest assets and the Alaskan people – and I’m confident he will strongly uphold our Constitution and make us proud,” Cox added.

Peterson started at LAW at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office in 2012. During his time at the DA’s Office, he prosecuted a wide range of offenses from misdemeanors to serious felonies. In 2015 he transferred to the Office of Special Prosecutions where he was the Statewide Fish and Wildlife Crimes Prosecutor.

In 2019, Peterson transferred to the Civil Division and began working in the Natural Resources Section where his work has centered on complex civil litigation defending Alaska’s sovereign interests in federal and state courts.

Peterson has represented the State in cases involving the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, where the stakes often extended beyond the individual matter to long-term consequences for Alaska’s economy, resource development, and self-governance.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska in 1981, Peterson earned his B.B.A. in finance from the University of Alaska in 2007, and his J.D. from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 2010. He began his legal career as a clerk for Judge Michael R. Spaan, with the Alaska Superior Court.

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