President Joe Biden has taken office with the opportunity to nominate federal judges despite facing significant obstacles including a closely divided Senate. He inherited a record number of judicial vacancies, giving him a chance to have a lasting impact on the judiciary by appointing diverse candidates to the bench.
The Trump administration prioritized filling judicial vacancies with conservative judges, leading to a substantial number of young, ideologically driven judges appointed to lifetime positions. Biden now has a chance to balance the judiciary by appointing judges with a wider range of backgrounds and experiences.
Biden’s nominations could bring more racial and gender diversity to the federal bench, with an emphasis on appointing black women and public defenders. This could result in a judiciary that better reflects the diversity of the United States and could lead to fairer outcomes in the legal system.
Despite the challenges ahead, Biden has the opportunity to reshape the judiciary in a way that promotes fairness and diversity. By nominating judges who bring different perspectives to the bench, he could leave a lasting legacy that impacts the legal system for years to come.