Trump has appointed fewer judges this term than many other presidents leading into midterms
Federal judges appointed by each president through Oct. 15 of their second year in office
Note: Excludes judges appointed to certain specialized or territorial courts. Judges confirmed to multiple positions, such as those first appointed to a district court and later elevated to an appeals court, are counted separately for each position, but only once in each president’s total. Judges are counted as appointed if they were confirmed by the Senate on or before Oct. 15 of the president’s second year in office.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Federal Judicial Center data.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Trump has appointed fewer judges this term than many other presidents leading into midterms
Federal judges appointed by each president through Oct. 15 of their second year in office
| President | Supreme Court justices | Appeals court judges | District court judges | Total | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump (2025-2026) | 0 | 10 | 45 | 55 | R |
| Joe Biden (2021-2022) | 1 | 25 | 58 | 81 | D |
| Donald Trump (2017-2018) | 2 | 29 | 53 | 83 | R |
| Barack Obama (2013-2014) | 0 | 23 | 82 | 105 | D |
| Barack Obama (2009-2010) | 2 | 11 | 30 | 43 | D |
| George W. Bush (2005-2006) | 2 | 15 | 35 | 52 | R |
| George W. Bush (2001-2002) | 0 | 14 | 66 | 80 | R |
| Bill Clinton (1997-1998) | 0 | 20 | 62 | 82 | D |
| Bill Clinton (1993-1994) | 2 | 19 | 107 | 128 | D |
| George H.W. Bush (1989-1990) | 1 | 22 | 47 | 69 | R |
| Ronald Reagan (1985-1986) | 2 | 33 | 95 | 130 | R |
| Ronald Reagan (1981-1982) | 1 | 19 | 63 | 82 | R |
| Jimmy Carter (1977-1978) | 0 | 12 | 48 | 60 | D |
Note: Excludes judges appointed to certain specialized or territorial courts. Judges confirmed to multiple positions, such as those first appointed to a district court and later elevated to an appeals court, are counted separately for each position, but only once in each president’s total. Judges are counted as appointed if they were confirmed by the Senate on or before Oct. 15 of the president’s second year in office.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Federal Judicial Center data.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
