President Joe Biden has outpaced President Donald Trump in judicial appointments, with Senate Democrats confirming 235 judges compared to Trump’s 234 during his first administration. This milestone reflects the Democrats’ determination to reshape the federal judiciary.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who leads the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been praised for his ability to push through nominations even in a tied Senate. “We’ve had a tied Senate and a tied committee, and we still confirmed nearly 100 judges,” Durbin told Politico.
Democrats have focused on filling vacancies in states with significant Democratic representation, such as California and Illinois. These states have numerous judicial seats, giving Democrats a strategic advantage in shaping the judiciary.
Republicans recognize the impact of Biden’s appointments. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) acknowledged Durbin’s efficiency, calling him “very effective” in advancing judicial confirmations.
As Biden exits office, 36 current judicial vacancies remain, along with 11 future retirements. By comparison, Trump began his term with 112 vacancies to fill, providing him a significant opportunity to influence the courts.
Biden vetoed a Republican-backed bill to add 66 district court judgeships. The proposal, passed by the House after the 2024 elections, was designed to expand judicial capacity but failed to gain Biden’s approval.
