Obama-Appointed Judge Unretires, Underscoring Partisan Gridlock in Judicial Appointments
Judges Max Cogburn and Algenon Marbley, facing potential replacement by a Republican president, rescinded their planned semi-retirements. This action, following stalled Senate confirmations due to home-state senator objections, prevents President Biden’s nominees from replacing them with judges potentially more aligned with his political party. Senate Republicans criticized the judges’ actions as partisan, while Democrats race to confirm judicial appointments before the Republican majority takes effect in January. A deal allowing the incoming Republican president to choose four appellate court vacancies was struck in exchange for support of Democratic district court picks.
John Q. Hosedrinker