Every federal judge appointed today could still be on the bench 30 years from now. That’s what’s at stake this November.
Pew Research Center finds President Trump has appointed 55 federal judges in his second term, among the lowest pre-midterm totals since Jimmy Carter. Biden had appointed 81 at this point, and Obama had appointed 105.
The gap is widest on the appeals courts, which are often the last word on voting rights, reproductive rights, and civil rights. Trump has appointed 10. Biden had appointed 25 by this point.
Pew points to far fewer vacancies as a big reason. But if Democrats win the Senate, Republicans are reportedly planning to prioritize Trump’s nominees in the post-election lame-duck session. Who controls the Senate decides who fills the seats that do open.
Our vote shapes the courts that will define the next generation.
🔗 Read the full Pew Research report: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/10/21/pace-of-trumps-judicial-appointments-has-slowed-in-his-second-term/