With the confirmation of Barbara Lagoa today, the number of judges appointed by Republican presidents versus Democratic presidents is now greater on three federal circuit courts than when President Trump took office. Last week, the Second Circuit "flipped" from majority Democratic-appointed to majority Republican-appointed with the confirmation of Steve Menashi, and Judge Lagoa's confirmation today "flipped" the Eleventh Circuit. As Ed Whelan wrote:
When Lagoa takes office (probably on Friday, I’m told), the Eleventh Circuit will have seven appointees of Republican presidents versus five appointees of Democratic presidents. At the outset of the Trump administration, the Eleventh Circuit had eight appointees of Democratic presidents, only three appointees of Republican presidents, and one vacancy. It will become the third federal appellate court to have flipped to a majority of appointees of Republican presidents. (The Third Circuit was the first to do so; the Second Circuit flipped just last week, upon the appointment of Steven Menashi.)
Six of the thirteen appellate courts—D.C., First, Fourth, Ninth, Tenth, Federal Circuit—still have a majority of Democratic appointees, and none of them seems likely to flip any time soon.
Upon Lagoa’s taking office, President Trump will have appointed five of the Eleventh Circuit’s twelve active judges. That’s the highest percentage (42%) of any appellate court, and a sixth pick (Andrew Brasher) is in the pipeline.
Conservatives cheered the change:
This success—along with the record number of federal appellate judges President Trump has appointed to date—is a testament to the tangible impact the president has had in reshaping the federal judiciary with constitutionalist judges who are committed to the rule of law. 2/4
— Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) November 20, 2019
Despite unrelenting Democrat smears and obstruction, President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairmen Graham and Grassley continue to make good on their promises to nominate and confirm judges who fairly apply the law and adhere to the Constitution. 4/4
— Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) November 20, 2019
The Senate voted to confirm President @realDonaldTrump’s nomination of Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Lagoa to the 11th Circuit, the first Latina appointed to that court.
— Mike Davis (@mrddmia) November 20, 2019
And the President flipped the 11th Circuit—his 3rd one, after the 2nd & 3rd—to majority R-appointed. https://t.co/rT27T4IKBw
Thanks to President Trump and Senate Republicans for confirming so many superb judges who respect the rule of law to the federal appellate bench.