President Trump continues to add to his long list of achievements making a lasting mark on the federal judiciary. Thomas Kirsh II is Trump’s 230th federal judge to be confirmed by the Senate. Kirsh previously served as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana was appointed by Trump to fill the vacancy left by Amy Coney Barrett as a judge for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Fox News reports:
The American Bar Association also rated Kirsch as “Well Qualified,” its highest mark.
Kirsch is the 54th judge Trump has appointed who was confirmed to a federal court of appeals and 230th federal judge overall, with more likely to follow. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Raul M. Arias-Marxuach, who Trump picked for the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
With just over a month left in his term, Trump has confirmed more than 200 judicial nominees, including three Supreme Court justices. There are currently 56 federal court vacancies with 33 nominations pending, making it likely that when Trump’s term comes to an end he will leave less than half the number of vacancies as President Barack Obama left in January 2017.
The confirmation of conservative judges has been a priority for Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Filling as many seats as possible before Jan. 20, 2021, will leave fewer positions for President-elect Joe Biden to fill.
Vice President Pence and former Indiana governor congratulated Kirsh.
Tonight the Senate confirmed Thomas Kirsch to replace Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, adding to a long list of Conservative judges confirmed under President @realDonaldTrump! Congratulations to this Great Hoosier, Judge Thomas Kirsch! pic.twitter.com/qomsrvXBCL
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) December 15, 2020