By Evan Ward
President Joe Biden has made history by appointing 40 Black women to lifetime federal judgeships, the most of any U.S. president.
In total, Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, far surpassing his predecessors, including Jimmy Carter, who appointed 37 Black judges, and Donald Trump, who appointed just two Black women out of 234 nominations during his first term. Biden’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to racial equity, with advocates emphasizing the critical role these judges play in cases affecting healthcare, education, fair hiring, and voting rights. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic appointment as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court further underscores Biden’s push for judicial diversity.
However, Biden’s agenda faces resistance. Legislation to add 66 new federal judgeships has stalled in the GOP-controlled House, with Republicans proposing to spread appointments across three administrations. President Biden has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, while critics like Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., warn that the delay is a strategic move to benefit Donald Trump, should he return to office.
Meanwhile, Trump has pledged to dismantle key civil rights protections, contrasting sharply with Biden’s emphasis on inclusion and equity.
