Washington has seen a new milestone as President Biden achieves his 235th judicial confirmation, surpassing Donald Trump’s total confirmations by one.
President Joe Biden’s administration has reached a significant judicial milestone, confirming 235 judges. This surpasses the record set by his predecessor, Donald Trump, who had appointed fewer judges by this point in his tenure. The confirmations have been a strategic focus for the Democrats, aiming to reshape the federal judiciary, especially after Trump’s impactful appointments, which included three Supreme Court justices.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer strategically set votes for two California district judges, which are likely the last confirmations before Congress adjourns with a shift to a Republican-led Senate. Among the recent appointees is Serena Raquel Murillo as a district judge in the Central District of California, whose confirmation broke Trump’s record.
Biden and the Senate Democrats have concentrated on diversifying the judicial bench. Approximately two-thirds of Biden’s appointees are women, with a strong representation of people of color. Notably, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first African American woman on the Supreme Court.
Sen. Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emphasized the importance of increasing diversity on the bench, noting that the federal judiciary has been predominantly white males. Durbin highlighted the administration’s efforts in recruiting a varied pool of talented individuals from diverse demographic backgrounds.
The Biden administration has not only focused on gender and racial diversity but also on professional variety, prioritizing appointees with backgrounds in civil rights, public defense, and labor rights. More than 45 appointees have served as public defenders, and over two dozen have been civil rights lawyers.
Despite the higher number of district judge appointments compared to Trump, Biden’s circuit court appointments lag behind, with only 45 compared to Trump’s 54. Biden also has had one Supreme Court appointment, while Trump had three, including the controversial appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett shortly before the 2020 election.
There has been criticism from some Republican senators about the perceived political leanings of Biden’s nominees. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas remarked on what he views as the appointment of extreme partisans.
However, liberal advocacy groups have hailed the appointments, not only for the number achieved but for the backgrounds of the appointees, believing it leads to better judicial decision-making and inspires future generations to pursue legal careers.
Sen. Charles Grassley, poised to become the next Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, acknowledged the Democrats’ vigorous pace in confirming judges. He noted that the strategic importance of such appointments is a lesson learned from Trump’s administration.
As the political landscape shifts, President Biden’s judicial appointments underscore the Democratic effort to influence the judicial branch amidst changing political tides. The recent significant rulings by the Supreme Court on issues like abortion and affirmative action highlight the far-reaching impacts of federal judicial appointments.
The judicial appointments under President Biden mark a pivotal moment in American politics, reflecting an ongoing strategic effort to reshape the courts. With a future shift in the Senate, both parties remain poised for continued judicial battles.
Source: Apnews
