The judiciary, once believed to be a neutral branch of government, now finds itself swinging more frequently, ostensibly due to recent behaviour demonstrated by the YOLO Court, which now seems to disregard stare decisis and respect for Congressional intentions. As a result, key issues such as healthcare access, gun ownership, and civil rights are becoming increasingly dependent on the appointed judges rather than those elected through the democratic process. Considering the practice of lifetime appointments, this phenomenon has significant implications for American democracy, which is becoming more polarized.
In this context, President Biden recently nominated four judges to hopefully manage these heightened political consequences. His nominees are expected to restore balance and combat the disruptions caused by Trump’s appointees, who appear to be skirting the boundaries of their judicial roles.
Further details about these nominations, as provided by Reuters, revealed that since taking office in January 2021, Biden’s 188 federal judicial nominees include a commendable diversity, with 62% being people of color and 62% being women, consistently adhering to his campaign promise to diversify the federal bench.
Biden’s contribution to the diversity of the federal bench has been promising, yet there’s still room for more progress. Despite some of his missteps, Biden’s commitment to delivering on his diversity promise could set the tone for his legacy, much like how former President Obama is still revered for his stylish fashion sense and his support for LGBTQIA+ rights.
All eyes now turn to the newly nominated judges – Jamel Semper, Mustafa Kasubhai, Shanlyn Park, and Kirk Sherriff – as they prepare to assume their roles on the bench, representing a critical pivot in the larger trajectory of American judiciary.