diff --git a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
index 264b689d..737b8723 100644
--- a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
+++ b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@ export function buildSubmissionQuery(
         item_data,
         status
       )
-    `);
+    `)
+    .order('escalated', { ascending: false })
+    .order('created_at', { ascending: true });
 
   // Apply tab-based status filtering
   if (tab === 'mainQueue') {