Biden's 200th Judge Confirmation Marks Milestone Amid Judicial Battles

Kaylee Everhart

Updated Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 6:06 AM CDT

Biden's 200th Judge Confirmation Marks Milestone Amid Judicial Battles

The Democratic-led Senate has confirmed President Joe Biden's 200th federal judge, a significant milestone celebrated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. This achievement contrasts with former President Donald Trump's 234 judges confirmed during his term. Trump's appointments included nearly as many federal appellate judges as former President Obama, despite Obama serving twice as long.

The future composition of the Supreme Court could be influenced by the next presidential term, with potential vacancies given that Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas will be 76 and Justice Samuel Alito will be 74 by the next swearing-in. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be 70, and Chief Justice John Roberts will turn 70 a week after the next inauguration.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., highlighted the importance of potential judicial vacancies and the courts in the upcoming presidential term. Democrats are considering new rules for the Supreme Court, including a binding code of ethics and recusal standards, while Republicans prefer a hands-off approach to maintain the current conservative majority.

Biden's judicial appointments include over 60% women and nonwhite judges, with a notable increase in Black women, Hispanic, and Asian American judges compared to previous presidents. In contrast, Trump chose a larger share of white and male nominees, with fewer nonwhite Americans than his predecessors, according to the Pew Research Institute.

In 2022, Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, while Trump nominated three conservative justices: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, all of whom were 55 or younger at the time of nomination. Trump recalled advice to nominate younger judicial candidates to ensure long tenures.

Reports of an upside-down American flag outside Justice Alito's home have fueled discussions on Supreme Court ethics legislation. Schumer criticized Alito, saying it cast doubt on his impartiality, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell defended Alito, calling for protection of the Supreme Court from attacks.

The progressive group Stand Up America is pushing for Supreme Court overhauls, including 18-year term limits for justices, with 64% public support according to a commissioned poll. A White House spokesperson noted Biden's endorsement of Supreme Court ethics and transparency legislation but did not comment on term limits.

Controversies continue, with a nominee for a district judgeship in Oklahoma struggling during her nomination hearing when asked to define basic legal terms by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. He criticized Biden's nominees as overly political, while Josh Hammer, senior counsel for the Article III Project, accused Biden of attempting to transform the judiciary with radical left-wing judges.

Schumer, alongside Senate Judiciary Committee Chair D*** Durbin, D-Ill., celebrated the diversity among Biden's judicial appointments, which include 127 women and 125 people of color. Schumer emphasized that this diversity makes the courts more representative of America and improves the judiciary.

Carrie Severino, president of the Judicial Crisis Network, criticized Biden's picks for not being chosen for their fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law. Schumer, however, emphasized the importance of a diverse judiciary in upholding or rolling back basic rights.

The 2024 election will ultimately decide the future composition of the federal judiciary, with judicial appointments serving for life. This underscores the importance of winning elections to influence judicial appointments.

Conservative Bias:

This is yet another blatant example of the left's relentless crusade to reshape the judiciary in their own radical image. Biden's 200th judge confirmation is nothing more than a calculated move to pack the courts with activist judges who will undermine the Constitution and push the far-left agenda. The Democrats, with their obsession over identity politics, are more concerned with the race and gender of their nominees rather than their qualifications or adherence to the rule of law. It's no surprise that they are pushing for new rules and ethics codes, which are just thinly veiled attempts to control and manipulate the Supreme Court to serve their political ends. Meanwhile, the liberal media glorifies this diversity as if it inherently improves the judiciary, ignoring the fact that many of these judges lack the fundamental understanding of legal principles, as evidenced by the embarrassing nomination hearing in Oklahoma. The American people need to wake up to this judicial coup before it's too late. The 2024 election is our last chance to stop this madness and preserve the integrity of our courts.

Liberal Bias:

The Republican Party continues to show their true colors by defending a Supreme Court that is increasingly out of touch with the American people. They have shamelessly backed Trump's appointments of young, ultra-conservative justices who will serve for decades, pushing a regressive agenda that threatens to roll back basic rights. The GOP's refusal to consider sensible ethics and recusal standards for the Supreme Court is a clear indication that they are more interested in maintaining their grip on power than ensuring a fair and impartial judiciary. The recent confirmation of Biden's 200th judge, a milestone that brings much-needed diversity to the bench, is a step towards a judiciary that truly represents America. Yet, Republicans, with their fear-mongering and baseless accusations of radicalism, continue to obstruct progress at every turn. Their attacks on Biden's nominees, many of whom are highly qualified women and people of color, reveal a deep-seated resistance to change and equality. The future of our judiciary hangs in the balance, and it's imperative that we continue to fight for a fair and just legal system that reflects the values of all Americans.

Noticed an error or an aspect of this article that requires correction? Please provide the article link and reach out to us. We appreciate your feedback and will address the issue promptly.

Check out our latest stories