“NO DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS”: Trump Urges GOP to Block Last-Minute Judge Confirmations
Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump has urged Senate Republicans to resist Democrats’ final push to confirm judicial nominees before the new Congress begins. Trump’s appeal comes amid a rush led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to cement his legacy before losing his leadership role next year.
According to Axios, Schumer is only two judges away from breaking a record held by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who confirmed 234 judges during Trump’s first term. Schumer’s aggressive effort to confirm lifetime judicial appointments has drawn significant attention and criticism from Republicans.
On Tuesday night, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to rally GOP senators and criticize the Democrats’ maneuver. “To all Senate Republicans: NO DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS TO FAST TRACK NOMINATIONS AT THE END OF THIS CONGRESS. I won the biggest mandate in 129 years. I will make my appointments of Very Qualified People in January when I am sworn in,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s remarks highlight his intent to take control of judicial appointments once he assumes office in January. His post also underscores frustration within the GOP over the Democrats’ strategy to secure as many confirmations as possible before Republicans take charge.
The urgency for nominations stems from Democratic concerns about the upcoming political shift in Congress. With Republicans preparing to take control, Senate Democrats are moving quickly to confirm President Joe Biden’s judicial picks while they still have the power to do so.
However, Senate Republicans remain steadfast in blocking Biden’s final nominees. Some GOP senators have voiced frustration that Democratic-appointed judges chose to delay retirement plans, effectively leaving vacancies unfilled as Republicans prevented further confirmations.
The battle over judicial nominations has been a central issue in recent years, as lifetime appointments can significantly influence the judiciary’s direction for decades. During Trump’s first term, Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, prioritized judicial confirmations, reshaping the federal courts with conservative judges. Now, Democrats are attempting to leave their mark before ceding power.
Trump’s firm stance signals that judicial nominations will once again become a top priority under his administration. By urging Senate Republicans to block any last-minute deals, Trump is positioning himself to make significant appointments immediately after taking office.
The weeks leading up to the new Congress are expected to remain contentious as both parties clash over control of the courts. Trump’s statement leaves little room for compromise, setting the stage for a showdown over judicial power in the coming months.
