President Joe Biden has set a historic precedent in federal judicial appointments, with nearly two-thirds of his appointees being women, and an equal share representing racial or ethnic minority groups. This analysis, based on data from the Federal Judicial Centre, reveals a groundbreaking shift in the composition of the federal bench.
LANDMARK IN GENDER REPRESENTATION
As of November 5, Biden had appointed 145 judges, with over 66% of them being women— a milestone unmatched by any previous president. The data showcases a stark contrast, with former President Donald Trump appointing 24% women judges at a similar point in his term, and President Barack Obama appointing 47%.
UNPARALLELED DIVERSITY IN RACIAL AND ETHNIC REPRESENTATION
Biden’s judicial appointments also break records in terms of racial and ethnic diversity. Just over 66% of his appointees belong to Black, Hispanic, Asian American, or other minority groups. This far surpasses the achievements of his predecessors, with Trump appointing 14% and Obama appointing 37% minority judges at the corresponding points in their presidencies.
INTERSECTIONALITY AT PLAY
Combining gender with race and ethnicity, women from minority groups constitute 42% of Biden’s appointees (61 of 145). This inclusive approach reflects in his selection of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.
OVERALL JUDICIAL IMPACT
While Biden’s total number of appointed judges (145) falls below Trump’s count at the same point (153), it surpasses Obama’s (115). The breakdown includes one Supreme Court justice, 36 appeals court judges, and 111 district court judges. Notably, both presidents appointed individuals to multiple judgeships.
BIDEN’S SHARE OF ACTIVE FEDERAL JUDGES
Assessing the broader impact, Biden has appointed 18% of currently active federal judges as of November 5. This share, while notable, is less than Trump’s 28% and Obama’s 31%. The data underlines the enduring influence of recent presidents on the composition of the federal judiciary.
