President Joe Biden’s nomination of the 235th federal judge marked a significant milestone in his presidency, surpassing former President Donald Trump’s judicial appointments. This latest confirmation, which could be Biden’s final one, means that he will leave office having appointed a diverse range of judges, including one Supreme Court justice, 45 appeals court judges, 187 district court judges, and two judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Biden expressed pride in his judicial appointments, emphasizing their impact on shaping the future of the country.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the achievement, calling the vote “historic” and highlighting the unprecedented number of judges confirmed under Biden’s presidency. Schumer emphasized that the Biden administration’s judicial confirmations surpass those of Trump’s, making it the most successful in recent decades. Senator Richard Blumenthal also acknowledged the importance of this achievement, recognizing it as a key accomplishment for the Democrats in shaping the judiciary for years to come.
Biden Surpasses Trump with Historic Judicial Appointments, Shaping a Diverse Federal Bench
Biden’s judicial appointments are notable not only for their quantity but also for their diversity. The White House emphasized the professional and demographic diversity of Biden’s picks, including public defenders, civil rights lawyers, and those with experience in areas like immigration and labor law. His appointments broke from the traditional pattern of choosing prosecutors and corporate lawyers for judicial roles, aiming instead to reflect a broader range of perspectives and experiences. This included the historic nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Despite Biden’s success in appointing a large number of judges, his legacy is contrasted by the judicial influence of his predecessor. While Biden has appointed more federal judges than Trump, the former president’s appointment of three Supreme Court justices reshaped the Court, creating a 6-3 conservative majority. Republicans have criticized Biden’s judicial picks, with Senator Ted Cruz accusing Senate Democrats of approving “zealot” judges. Senator Chuck Grassley, the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee, indicated that Republicans would aim to surpass Biden’s judicial record during Trump’s second term, though the reduced number of vacancies may make it difficult.
Looking ahead, some Republicans downplay the significance of Biden’s judicial appointments, suggesting that the true challenge lies in the future. Senators like John Kennedy and John Cornyn argued that Republicans do not need to compete with Biden’s total but must remain diligent in filling judicial vacancies during the next administration. Senator Blumenthal warned that although the Democrats have made progress, they must remain vigilant, as future judicial appointments by Republicans could potentially roll back important rights and shift the judiciary in a conservative direction for decades.
