WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump highlighted the confirmation of more than 150 federal judges under his administration, during a speech at the White House on Nov. 6 in which he described the number as a “profoundly historic milestone” and a “truly momentous achievement.”
Speaking in the East Room, Trump hosted a number of senior administration officials, members of Congress, legal scholars, state and local leaders, and supporters.
Congress so far has confirmed 112 judges to federal district courts, 43 judges to federal circuit courts, and two new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Together, we are restoring American freedom, defending American justice, and preserving the extraordinary vision of our Founding Fathers.”
During his remarks, Trump gave a shoutout to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and invited him to stand up, to applause. Trump also thanked a number of Republican senators, as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Attorney General William Barr, who also attended the event.
“I’ve always heard actually that when you become president, the single most important thing you can do is federal judges. ... Based on that, I think there’s nobody that’s done a better job ever than Senator Mitch McConnell,” he said.
“Generations from now, Americans will know that Mitch McConnell helped save the constitutional rule of law in America.”
Trump also warned about judges assuming the role of a legislator, saying that would threaten the rights of all citizens.
“In other words, the impartial and objective judge who is a faithful servant of the law is essential to the survival of American liberty,” he said.
According to the White House, approximately 1 in 4 active judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals has been appointed by Trump. The appointments have also tipped the balance in some courts, including the flipping of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit from a Democratic-appointed majority to a Republican-appointed majority. Both the 2nd and 11th circuits are likely to flip by the end of this year, the White House said.
The president invited McConnell to say a few words.
McConnell said: “I’m reminded of Election Night, when I realized that not only had [Trump] won, but we had taken the House, we held the Senate, and this was going to be one of those unusual periods where Republicans had all three branches.”
He noted that Republicans have held power in all three branches of government for only 20 years of the past 100.
“We got the chance to set the agenda, an opportunity to move the ball in the right direction,” McConnell said, referring to the current administration. “What’s the most important thing? Clearly, it was the Supreme Court.”
