AFJ Welcomes Biden Commitment to Swift Nomination Of Judges

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 31, 2020 – As the year winds down this week, it was reported that President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team had reached out to the Senate seeking input on qualified judicial nominees who represent a range of demographic and professional diversity. In November, Alliance for Justice led over 70 groups in calling on the Biden Administration to prioritize judges, and we are pleased the transition appears to be doing so. Through our Building the Bench program, AFJ has partnered closely with advocates across the country to develop hundreds of recommendations for qualified and fair-minded judges, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, public defenders and those who have worked for nonprofit and legal aid organizations.

The letter to senators indicated that recommendations for current judicial vacancies should be received by January 19, 2021, and that future recommendations be made within 45 days of any new vacancy being announced.

Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:

“As we finally turn the corner from the challenges of 2020 and this anti-democratic administration, it is encouraging to see a bold new day for our judiciary on the horizon. We are heartened to see President-elect Biden prioritizing the nomination of judges in a way that matches the ever-growing enthusiasm among progressives to protect our courts.

We will be living with the consequences of Trump’s conservative takeover of the courts for decades.  We applaud the Biden administration’s commitment to repairing our judiciary by confirming judges who will uphold the rule of law and equal justice like the American people deserve.

2020 has been a very difficult year for many, as have the three years prior. This is the latest indication we can look forward to a very happy new year for our nation.”

Click here to read our report looking back on four years of Trump’s judges.