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President Joe Biden commemorated a milestone Thursday, celebrating the 235 judicial confirmations achieved during his presidency.
Surpassing his predecessor Donald Trump’s tally, Biden’s appointments have significantly shaped the federal judiciary and set new standards for diversity and representation.
Joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, the president highlighted the importance of the judiciary in protecting constitutional liberties, advancing justice, and safeguarding democracy.
“These judges represent the best of America,” Biden said in remarks from the White House. “They’ll be independent, fair, and impartial, respecting the rule of law and upholding the Constitution.”
Biden’s judicial appointments include a historic selection for the Supreme Court: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Additionally, his administration confirmed 45 judges to federal courts of appeals, 187 to U.S. district courts, and two to the U.S. Court of International Trade.
“One out of every four judges now on the federal bench were nominated by President Biden,” Durbin said, underscoring the lasting influence of these appointments. Schumer added that Biden’s confirmations “will be a barrier against attacks on our democratic institutions” and represent “one of the most important hallmarks” of the president’s legacy.
Biden has emphasized diversifying the judiciary since the start of his administration. His nominees include over 45 public defenders, 25 civil rights attorneys, and a record number of Black women for federal appellate courts—more than all previous administrations combined.
The White House noted that Biden’s 235 confirmations mark the largest number of judicial appointments in a single term since President Jimmy Carter, who oversaw 262 confirmations following the expansion of the judiciary in 1978. While Carter did not appoint any Supreme Court justices, Biden’s achievement eclipses Trump’s record by one, with Trump notably seating three Supreme Court justices and establishing a 6-3 conservative majority.
Despite the differences in approach and focus, both administrations have reshaped the judiciary in ways that will resonate for decades. As Biden reflected, “Judges matter, shaping the everyday lives of Americans, protecting our basic freedoms.”
