Following in the footsteps of some of America’s finest intellects—from John Jay, to Joseph Story, to Antonin Scalia—Neil Gorsuch donned a black robe on April 7, 2017, joining eight other justices on a lifetime appointed bench to the nation’s highest Court.
The Supreme Court vacancy, after the passing of the late Justice Scalia in 2016, was a leading issue for voters in the presidential election last fall. Justice Gorsuch’s confirmation was a step in the right direction for American law due to his adherence to originalism in applying the Constitution. According to attorneys at First Liberty Institute, this philosophy is more likely to yield rulings favorable to religious liberty consistent with the First Amendment.
However, the Supreme Court hears less than one percent of cases appealed to it each year, so there is still more to be done. Another Supreme Court nomination, perhaps multiple nominations, may come at any time.
But more immediately, there are currently 127 federal court vacancies to be filled by President Trump—judges who will become part of the federal judiciary that hears 99 percent of all federal cases and holds immense power over the lives of Americans. Including over their religious freedoms.
Click on image to view interactive map of Circuit Court vacancies
Click on image to view interactive map of District Court vacancies
BY THE NUMBERS: THE POWER OF FEDERAL COURTS
As Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett noted, “The 13 federal courts of appeals handle about 35,000 [cases].” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court takes approximately 70 cases a year.
Then-Judge Gorsuch noted in his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee that only five percent of federal lawsuits are decided at the Federal Court of Appeals level. That means 95 percent of federal lawsuits will never receive a written opinion by an appellate court, let alone the Supreme Court. These lower court judges, including the often-overlooked district court judges, are essential for protecting people’s constitutional freedom.
“UNORIGINAL”: EIGHT YEARS OF TILT
The last eight years are a prime example of the influence one president can have on the judicial branch of the federal government. As of last fall, President Barack Obama appointed 268 district court judges while in office the last eight years, which is nearly 40% of authorized district court judgeships.
Click here for related story.
President Obama also successfully appointed 55 federal circuit court judges, which constitute approximately 30% of federal circuit court judges. At the close of the Bush Administration, judges considered to be “progressive” in ideology controlled only one of the thirteen circuit courts. As a result of President Obama’s appointments, many observers now consider progressive judges to be in control of nine of the thirteen circuit courts.
The Fourth Circuit, for example, once had a majority court of judges who ruled with a judicial philosophy closer to originalism. However, over the course of past administrations, nine of the fifteen judges on this court were appointed by presidents who favored judges with views at odds with originalism.
Additionally, the Obama Administration successfully placed three judges on the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. Currently, four members of this Court are Obama appointees, and seven of the eleven active judges were appointed by administrations similarly unsympathetic to an originalist view.
RESHAPING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH FOR FREEDOM
As stated above, there are 127 federal court vacancies. This includes 20 circuit court vacancies, 99 district court vacancies, six vacancies in the Court of Federal Claims, and two vacancies in the Court of International Trade.
President Trump, along with the current Republican-controlled Senate, has a prime opportunity in the coming months and years to nominate judges who will uphold the Constitution. Filling our courts with judges who, like Justice Neil Gorsuch, understand the importance of protecting the Constitution, is essential to preserving our freedom for future generations, and will help shift the courts as a whole in a better direction.
As with the first Supreme Court nomination of the Trump administration, First Liberty Institute attorneys will keep a watchful eye on these incredibly influential positions. First Liberty attorneys—religious liberty experts —have already been analyzing the opinions of judicial candidates and are prepared to offer their analysis. It is vital to ensure that those nominated to serve as judges are dedicated to the principle of religious freedom.
News and Commentary is brought to you by First Liberty’s team of writers and legal experts.
 |
|
|
