Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden secured his 235th federal judicial appointment on Friday, surpassing Donald Trump’s first-term tally of 234 by a narrow margin. Biden’s appointments emphasize diversity, with a record number of women and people of color filling these lifetime positions.
Biden Reshapes Federal Judiciary
The Democratic-led U.S. Senate confirmed two California-based judges on Friday, capping Biden’s four-year effort to reshape a judiciary that leaned ideologically to the right during Trump’s presidency. This achievement places Biden second in history for the most judicial appointments in a single presidential term, trailing only Jimmy Carter’s record of 262 judges.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated this milestone, calling it “historic” during his remarks on the Senate floor. Despite inheriting fewer judicial vacancies than Trump, Biden ensured his appointees reflected his promise to diversify the federal bench. His campaign commitment led to nearly two-thirds of his appointees being women and a similar proportion being Black, Hispanic, or from other racial minorities.
A Focus on Diversity and Representation
Biden consistently pushed for a judiciary that mirrors America’s diversity. Highlighting his success, Biden noted, “When I ran for president, I promised to build a bench that looks like America and reflects the promise of our nation. I’m proud I kept my commitment.”
The president’s appointees also boast diverse professional backgrounds. Biden nominated over 45 public defenders and more than 25 civil rights lawyers to federal judgeships, countering the judiciary’s historic dominance by former prosecutors and law firm partners. Notably, Serena Murillo, a Los Angeles state court judge, became the 150th woman confirmed to a judgeship under Biden. The Senate approved her nomination by a 49-47 vote.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
Biden’s record-breaking achievements include appointing 63 Black federal judges, surpassing any previous president’s tally. Among these historic appointments is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her presence solidifies Biden’s impact on judicial representation, even as she joins the court’s liberal minority.
Though Biden named fewer appeals court judges (45) compared to Trump’s 54, he demonstrated a strategic focus on diversification. His appointments reflect a deliberate effort to bolster public confidence in judicial outcomes and decision-making processes.
As Biden’s term concludes, his judicial legacy stands as a testament to his administration’s priorities—representation, diversity, and equity within the nation’s courts.
