The Democratic-led Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s 200th federal judge, marking a milestone that highlights a sharp contrast with former President Donald Trump’s administration in shaping the courts for the next four years. There is uncertainty about whether Biden will catch up to the 234 judges Trump secured, but the 2024 election winner will have the power to influence the judiciary, potentially including Supreme Court justices. The next term is crucial for Supreme Court vacancies that could impact the current conservative majority.
Biden’s judicial appointments have been diverse, with a focus on former civil rights lawyers, labor lawyers, and public defenders. More than 60% of his appointees are women, and more than 60% are nonwhite. In contrast, Trump prioritized conservative credentials, youth, and a larger share of white and male nominees. The stakes for the courts in the upcoming election are high, with Republicans aiming for a more conservative court and Democrats pushing for Supreme Court ethics legislation and potentially term limits for justices.
Biden has appointed 42 appeals court judges and one Supreme Court justice, while Trump had 51 appeals court judges and three Supreme Court justices at a similar point in his presidency. The progressive advocacy group Stand Up America has commissioned a poll showing overwhelming support for 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices, with voters viewing candidates who support this policy favorably. The upcoming election will have significant implications for the direction of the judiciary, with Democrats emphasizing the importance of winning to prevent the Supreme Court from leaning further to the right.
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