How many judges has Joe Biden appointed?
Asked by: Shannon Jerde | Last update: April 3, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)
President Joe Biden appointed a record 235 federal judges during his single term, surpassing Donald Trump's first-term total by one, including one Supreme Court Justice (Ketanji Brown Jackson), 45 Appeals Court judges, 187 District Court judges, and two for the Court of International Trade, marking a significant reshaping of the judiciary with high diversity in women, people of color, and civil rights backgrounds.
How many judges were appointed by Biden?
The total number of Article III judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate was 235, including one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 45 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 187 judges for the United States district courts and two judges for the United States ...
Which president has appointed the most judges?
To date, Ronald Reagan has appointed the largest number of federal judges, with 383, followed closely by Bill Clinton with 378. Jimmy Carter has appointed the most federal judges in a single term, with 262, followed by Joe Biden and Donald Trump, with 235 and 234 appointments, respectively.
How many judges did Donald Trump appoint?
As of January 8, 2026 the United States Senate has confirmed 261 Article III judges nominated by Trump: three associate justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 60 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 195 judges for the United States district courts, and three judges for the United States Court of ...
How many judges did Obama appoint?
U.S. President Barack Obama nominated over 400 individuals for federal judgeships during his presidency. Of these nominations, Congress confirmed 329 judgeships, 173 during the 111th & 112th Congresses and 156 during the 113th and 114th Congresses.
President Biden Appoints 235 Federal Judges
How many judges were appointed by Republican presidents?
As of January 8, 2026, of the 680 district court judges, 380 were appointed by Democratic presidents compared to 262 by Republican ones. Within the individual circuit jurisdictions, Democratic presidents have appointed majorities in 8 circuits while Republican presidents have appointed a majority in 4 circuits.
Could Trump appoint more justices?
Following Trump's reelection to a second, non-consecutive term in the 2024 presidential election, and entering office with a solid Republican majority in the Senate, observers noted that he would likely have the opportunity to appoint several more justices.
Can a federal judge be impeached?
The U.S. Constitution provides little guidance as to what offenses constitute grounds for the impeachment of federal judges: as with other government officials, judges may be removed following impeachment and conviction for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors”; otherwise, under Article III, Section ...
Is there a shortage of federal judges?
FEDERAL JUDGE SHORTAGE: A shortage of federal judges is causing delays in our justice system and is prompting Congress to take action. However, federal legislation that would add 66 federal judgeships in overworked districts across the country is expected to hit a major roadblock in the form of a presidential veto.
Who has more authority, a judge or the president?
Neither the President nor judges inherently have "more" power; they hold distinct roles within the U.S. system of checks and balances, with the President leading the executive branch (enforcing laws) and judges in the judicial branch (interpreting laws), but courts can strike down presidential actions, while the President appoints judges and relies on the executive branch to enforce court orders, creating a dynamic balance where each can limit the others' power.
How much do Supreme Court justices make?
As of early 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice earns around $317,500, while Associate Justices earn about $303,600, with slight variations depending on the source and specific effective date, reflecting annual adjustments set by Congress. These figures represent significant increases over recent years, with salaries rising from the $274,200 (Associate) and $286,700 (Chief) in 2022.
How many US attorneys did Biden appoint?
President Biden nominated 76 people to be U.S. attorneys: 68 of the nominations were confirmed by the U.S. Senate, five stalled in the Senate, one was withdrawn after Senate confirmation, and three others were withdrawn before Senate action.
Is Lucy Koh still a judge?
Yes, Judge Lucy Koh is still a judge; she currently serves as a U.S. Circuit Judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, a lifetime appointment she received in December 2021 after being nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate, making her the first Korean-American woman to serve on a federal appellate court.
Can the President fire a federal judge?
No, the President cannot remove a federal judge; federal judges have lifetime appointments and can only be removed through the impeachment process, where the House of Representatives impeaches (charges) them, and the Senate convicts them by a two-thirds majority vote, typically for "high Crimes and Misdemeanors". This constitutional design ensures judicial independence from the executive and legislative branches, guaranteeing judges serve during "good Behavior".
Who can impeach Donald Trump?
Impeachment begins in the House of Representatives, where articles of impeachment are drawn up. These articles are then voted on by House members. Each article is voted on separately and requires a simple majority to pass. Once an article has been passed in the House, the president has been impeached.
Can the President overrule a Supreme Court ruling?
No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself (through a new ruling), the Constitution (via amendment), or new legislation by Congress can overturn a major ruling, though Presidents can try to influence future decisions by appointing new justices or challenge rulings through appeals, and historically, some have selectively enforced or ignored certain rulings, as seen with Lincoln and the Dred Scott case.
Did Obama appoint any Supreme Court justices?
President Barack Obama made two successful appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States. The first was Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice David H. Souter. Sotomayor was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 6, 2009, by a vote of 68–31.
Can the President change the number of Supreme Court justices?
No, the President cannot directly change the number of Supreme Court Justices; only Congress has that power by passing a law, but the President must sign that law for it to take effect, meaning both branches must agree, as seen with the Judiciary Act of 1869 fixing the number at nine. While presidents appoint justices, they can only fill existing vacancies or new ones Congress creates, as the Constitution doesn't set the court's size, allowing Congress to adjust it as a legislative check.
Did Biden appoint anybody to the Supreme Court?
Michelle Childs and Leondra Kruger. On February 25, it was announced that Biden would nominate Judge Jackson. On April 7, 2022, Jackson was confirmed by a vote of 53–47.
When was the last time the Supreme Court had a liberal majority?
The Warren Court was the period in the history of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1953 to 1969 when Earl Warren served as the chief justice. The Warren Court is widely regarded as the most liberal Supreme Court in U.S. history and marks the last period in which liberals held clear control of the Court.
Who was the youngest appointed judge?
Twitty graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in political science. She previously worked for the Greenville County Bond Court as a night clerk. After completing a training program and passing a certification examination, Twitty was sworn in as a judge at the age of 25.
Can a Supreme Court justice run for president?
Hughes led on the first presidential ballot of the convention and clinched the nomination on the third ballot. Hughes accepted the nomination, becoming the first and only sitting Supreme Court Justice to serve as a major party's presidential nominee, and submitted his resignation to President Wilson.