During an event on Thursday, the current administration celebrated the confirmation of 235 federal judges, highlighting their importance in upholding constitutional principles and protecting democratic institutions.
The President emphasized that these appointments represent a commitment to preserving the nation’s foundational safeguards, especially as the incoming administration prepares to take office.
Speaking at the gathering, the President expressed pride in the individuals chosen for the judiciary, describing them as defenders of the Constitution and protectors of freedoms.
He also criticized recent Supreme Court decisions, including those overturning Roe v. Wade, eliminating affirmative action, and granting broad presidential immunity, labeling them as lacking constitutional justification.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin joined the event to underscore the role of these judges in maintaining democracy.
Schumer praised the judicial confirmations, calling the appointees a crucial defense against potential challenges to democratic norms. He pointed out that these judges, particularly at the district level, would influence cases affecting voting rights and the broader democratic process.
The confirmations under the current administration include Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the court, alongside 45 appellate judges, 187 district court judges, and two international trade judges.
These accomplishments surpass the previous administration’s first-term total of 234 confirmations, though the former president appointed three Supreme Court justices, solidifying a conservative majority and enabling transformative rulings on key issues.
Durbin highlighted the challenges faced in achieving these confirmations, noting the evenly split Senate during the administration’s first two years and a narrow majority in the subsequent two. Despite these hurdles, he commended the administration’s success in shaping the federal judiciary.
