Biden surpasses Trump's first term judicial confirmation tally

Donald Trump's first term in the White House was marked by an impressive push to fill large numbers of seats on the federal bench, but his achievements have now been surpassed by his successor in office.

As the Washington Examiner reports, President Joe Biden, mere weeks before he is set to depart the Oval Office, beat Trump's first-term record of Senate judicial confirmations, bringing his tally to 235.

Biden notches key achievement

The current president solidified a large part of his legacy on Friday with two final district judge confirmations.

With Benjamin Cheeks poised to serve in the Southern District of California and Serena Murillo headed to the bench in the same state's Central District, Biden fulfilled one of his administration's most significant objectives.

In doing so, Biden confirmed precisely one more federal judge during his tenure than Trump did in his initial term.

Notably, Biden's total of confirmed judges comes second only to that of fellow Democrat and former President Jimmy Carter, who was responsible for the ascendancy of 259 jurists to the federal bench.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was particularly proud of the accomplishment, saying Friday night on the floor of the Senate, “We have confirmed more judges than under the Trump administration, more judges than any administration in this century, more judges than any administration going back decades,” adding that “one out of every four active judges on the bench has been appointed by this majority.”

Victory lap taken

Biden's achievement, momentous by any standard, was celebrated in a statement issued by the White House on Friday.

Speaking of the individuals selected by the administration to serve the federal judiciary, the statement noted, “These men and women represent the best of America. They are all highly qualified. And they have had distinguished legal, judicial, and academic careers.”

Biden said, “When I ran for President, I promised to build a bench that looks like America and reflects the promise of our nation. And I'm proud I kept my commitment to bolstering confidence in judicial decision-making and outcomes.”

“Judges matter. They shape the everyday lives of Americans, preserving our freedoms and defending our liberties,” Biden added, further stating that he is “proud of the legacy” he will leave in this regard.

Though Biden may have surpassed Trump when it comes to first-term judicial appointments, the incoming president's pledge to help restore Americans' faith in the judicial system -- and the additional four years he now has to do it -- will set the stage for what could be a truly pivotal period for the federal bench.