June 7, 2024
I have preached for many years that the single most important issue in any Presidential election is judicial appointments (though climate change is a strong second). A Presidential term is four years; a judicial appointment is for life. There are currently 11 active federal judges who were appointed by President Reagan, another 11 appointed by George H.W. Bush (including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas) and 30 appointed by President Clinton.
The Senate last week confirmed the 200th judge nominated by President Biden. At this point in President Trump’s term, the Senate had confirmed 196 of his nominees and, ultimately, Trump filled 234 federal judicial vacancies. Barack Obama and George W. Bush had 148 and 176, respectively.