Several well-positioned Republican lawyers said privately in recent weeks that Estrada was a top possible nominee for the position as solicitor general. White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked last week specifically about Estrada, who served as an assistant solicitor general in the 1990s.

Estrada’s full statement: “I was immensely lucky to have the chance to serve our country years ago, but it did not work out. I have only respect and best wishes for those who agree to serve despite the deterioration of the confirmation process over the years, but everyone who knows me in this town knows that I would never accept a job that requires Senate confirmation or, for that matter, willingly place myself in any situation (e.g., a hearing room) in which convention requires that I be civil to Chuck Schumer.”