Staff Reports
Senate Democrats are racing to the finish line, working to jam through two more judicial nominees as if they were the last few desserts at a holiday buffet. With 233 judges confirmed during Biden’s presidency, they’re just one shy of tying Trump’s first-term record of 234. It’s a frenzy of judicial appointments that has surely left some Senate Republicans shaking their heads in disbelief, not to mention their fists.
Former President Trump, ever the vocal critic, has suggested that Senate Republicans should steer clear of any deals with Democrats for a quickie confirmation of judges. On his Truth Social account, Trump made it clear that he prefers his judicial picks to be “Very Qualified People” and plans to make those appointments in January. One can only assume that he believes his chosen nominees would pass the rigorous “Trump Standards of Amazingness” test, which presumably involves a strict selection process excluding any candidates wouldn’t be able to secure a round of applause from a rally crowd.
When did merit become undesirable to the left in America? Biden is on track to appoint more federal judges of color than any other president – NBC News https://t.co/Bl7JaeYhIN
— Arlin (@Arlin4US) December 13, 2024
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has put a pedal to the metal, filing motions for the confirmation of Benjamin Cheeks and Serena Murillo as district judges in California. Assuming everything goes as planned, two more left-leaning judges will land a cozy seat on the bench, leaving conservatives seething. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska seems to think this swift confirmation is a no-brainer. Maybe she’s just eager to get it done and grab a cup of coffee somewhere far away from this circus.
In a bizarre twist of political intrigue that would make even Shakespeare raise an eyebrow, Senate Republicans initially tried to slow down the pace of these nominations. They set up procedural hurdles, only to have Schumer strike a deal that allowed some Democratic nominees through in exchange for holding off on circuit court picks. Why, you might ask? It likely comes down to a game of political chess where the Democrats realized they couldn’t muster enough support for those higher positions anyway.
Interestingly, some Republicans appear to have accepted their fate regarding Biden’s last batch of judicial nominees. Despite Trump’s urging, they seem to be more focused on what they can stop rather than what they can delay. Sen. Rick Scott noted that they have their fingers crossed in hopes that a gentleman’s agreement means they won’t have to deal with more appellate court judges. Meanwhile, Democrats are not getting off the hook easily as conservatives grumble over Judge James Wynn’s sudden decision to stay put, effectively thwarting Trump’s chance to fill another judicial seat.
Lastly, while both Biden and Trump have had more luck in the judicial arena than Obama, it’s hard to ignore the GOP’s keen interest in reshuffling the judiciary deck. Unlike Obama, who struggled with just 170 confirmations by this point in his presidency, Trump and Biden are in a different ballgame—one with a lot more judges and a lot more pizazz. As the Senate winds down its session, one thing is clear: the battle for the bench will only intensify heading into 2024, with both sides gearing up for a rough and tumble electoral showdown that will make the last few months seem like a warm-up act.
