Biden Can Make Mark on Judiciary with Trial Court Appointments

President Joe Biden soon is expected to announce his first judicial nominations, and much attention is focused on the potential elevation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Donald Trump focused quickly on numerous appellate vacancies in reshaping the courts with younger conservatives, something Biden is unlikely to undo. But trial courts, where Jackson currently sits, are where Biden can change the composition of the federal judiciary right now.

About half of the current and expected vacancies Biden can fill were seats occupied by jurists appointed by Republican presidents, said Brookings Institution researcher ...