Of all the ways President Donald Trump has undermined our democracy, our Constitution and our laws, his massive reshaping of the courts will be the hardest to undo. With the support of the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans, Trump has filled lifetime vacancies on the federal court at a breakneck pace. Many of these nominees have ultraconservative views and are also egregiously unqualified to uphold the integrity of the courts. Today, AFJ released a new report documenting Trump’s transformation of the courts over his first three years in office, specifically highlighting how the process accelerated during 2019. Detailed appendices flesh out these judges’ records by issue area, providing an irrefutable glimpse at how hostile they are to the rule of law. Despite this grim record, all is not lost. Progressives are more energized by the fate of the courts than ever before, and AFJ is already planning for the future through the Building the Bench initiative, which will help identify diverse and progressive judges for the next president to appoint. With lifetime appointments, Trump’s judges will play a part in shaping every aspect of American life for years to come. Understanding just who these judges are and how they got their positions is essential for mitigating the threats they pose to democracy as we know it. | |
