President Biden reached a significant milestone by appointing 200 judges to the federal bench, surpassing former President Trump’s pace in judicial appointments. Trump made significant progress in this area during his time in office, with Biden already appointing as many federal appellate judges as former President Obama in less time. Biden emphasized the importance of judges in upholding or rolling back basic rights, acknowledging the impact of his appointments on the judiciary. However, Republican lawmakers criticized Biden’s nominees as overly political and radical left-wing, expressing concerns about the long-lasting effects of these appointments on the courts.
Biden, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, celebrated the diversity of his appointments, highlighting the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity among his selections. Schumer emphasized the importance of making the courts more reflective of America, rather than just representing a specific demographic. However, critics like Carrie Severino of the Judicial Crisis Network raised concerns that the judges were not chosen for their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law, potentially leading to a bench of political activists rather than impartial jurists.
Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact of Biden’s appointments on the federal judiciary, noting the potential for judges with a more activist approach to be appointed. They highlighted the importance of winning future elections to have an impact on reshaping the judiciary, as these judges will serve for life. With the upcoming 2024 election set to determine the future makeup of the federal judiciary, political considerations are paramount in shaping the courts for years to come. The influence of the judiciary on key issues such as immigration and healthcare further underscores the significance of judicial appointments in shaping the direction of the country.
Despite Biden’s progress in appointing judges, he has not matched Trump’s appointments at the appellate or Supreme Court level. Trump’s administration saw the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices, leading to a conservative majority on the Court and the overturning of landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade. By contrast, Biden has appointed only one Supreme Court justice thus far. While Biden has appointed more district judges than Trump, the impact of Trump’s appointments at the appellate level are deemed more significant. The disparity in appellate appointments underscores the potential far-reaching effects of the different administrations’ choices on the federal judiciary.
The significance of judicial appointments on the federal judiciary was highlighted by both supporters and critics of Biden’s appointments. While Biden has made substantial progress in appointing judges, questions remain about the long-term impact of these choices on the courts. The upcoming 2024 election will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the federal judiciary, as the judges appointed will serve for life. The divergent approaches of the Biden and Trump administrations in judicial appointments underscore the impact of these choices on key legal issues and the direction of the country. Ultimately, the composition of the federal judiciary will be shaped by future political considerations and elections, determining the course of the judiciary for years to come.
