In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory in 2024, some federal judges have taken the unusual step of altering their previously stated promotion plans for senior positions and choosing to cancel their retirements. That would have created a vacancy on the federal bench that Trump would have the opportunity to fill. The move has sparked outrage from some Republicans in the Senate.
Circuit Judge James Wynn of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decided not to pursue the claim. This month's advanced status He instead maintained his on-court role, as originally planned. His selection came after Senate Democrats agreed to allow Trump to make his own appointments to fill several circuit court vacancies, including the seat left by Wynn.
The move infuriated Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., whose circuit covers the state. “The brazenly partisan decision to revoke Judge Wynn’s retirement is an unprecedented move that shows that some judges are nothing more than politicians in robes. The U.S. Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement to hold off on confirming a successor until the next Congress is sworn in in January. reached,'' he said in a statement.
RFK JR prepares to hold sit-in with senators at the Capitol to review abortion and vaccines
Some federal judges have chosen not to retire following President-elect Donald Trump's victory in November. (Getty Images)
“The Senate Judiciary Committee should hold a hearing on his blatant attempt to turn the Judiciary Retirement System into a partisan game, and he faces ethics charges and a recusal request from the Department of Justice. Of course.”
A spokesperson for incoming Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told Fox News Digital: “Senator Grassley looks forward to working with President Trump to fill judicial vacancies with pro-Constitution judges. “We will work with committee Republicans to address inappropriate partisan tensions over the Constitution.” bench,” when asked about the possibility of a hearing.
So did lower-ranking U.S. District Judges Max Cogburn and Algernon Marbury, who changed their plans last month.
Biden pardon announcement mixed on Capitol Hill: 'Where is the bar?'
Senator Tillis called for a hearing on the so-called judicial retirement issue. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Although it was not part of the deal that gave Mr. Trump some of the district judge vacancies, it was becoming increasingly unlikely that President Biden and Democrats would be able to fill the roles in time.
In early December, in floor remarks about the judge's rare ruling, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, “They're rolling the dice on whether a Democrat can take over.” He waved, but now that he's not, they're going to change that policy.” We're going to stop Republicans from doing that. ”
Republican attorney general offers support to President Trump, FBI busts Kash Patel, urges senators to do the same
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the rare action by a Democratic-appointed judge. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This is a brazen admission, and the next administration would be wise to consider all available dismissal options against these judges, because it is now clear that they have political direction. ” he added.
McConnell said the agreement reached between Republicans and Democrats before Thanksgiving included that Republicans “have access to available procedural guidelines for the remaining nominations to the district court — which they have votes to approve.” “In exchange, Democratic leadership will not introduce any legislation.'' All remaining circuit court nominees will be sent to the floor — because they don't have the votes to confirm. ”
President Biden, with the help of Senate Democrats, aims to break President-elect Donald Trump's judicial record. (Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Trump Transition Department did not immediately comment to Fox News Digital.
