Why so many federal judge vacancies?

[liberalmediaaddict]

I've read Grim Reaper McConnell has filled around a 100 federal judge vacancies so far and is still going strong. My question, if federal judges get lifetime appointments, why are their so many open seats right now?

Did hundreds of judges suddenly die or resign? I realize Mitch blocked most of Obama's judiciary picks but it still doesn't make sense.

[Tiggeroshii]

1. I think they are still working on filling all the seats that went vacant under Obama

No vacancy between 1/2015 and 1/2017 was filled. Pretty sure most are from that period.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Yes, it's because McConnell blocked so many Obama appointees...

[tritsofme]

3. McConnell blocked lots of Obama's vacancies, and older Republican appointed judges have been

under pressure to take “senior status” which would allow them to partially retire and give Trump the ability to fill the vacancy.

At least in the latter case, they are generally not changing the ideological composition of those courts, just restocking with younger conservatives.

[liberalmediaaddict]

5. Thanks

That makes sense. The older judges are being encouraged to retire early to make way for the Federalist Society's younger generation. Explains why Kennedy was replaced by Kavanaugh. Guess McConnell thinks if he can get enough 40 year old judges on the bench conservatives can control the courts for another 40 years at least.

[Wabbajack_]

4. Senior status is also a factor

When a judge turns 65 and have a certain amount of time on the job they can semi-retire on full salary, taking a limited caseload, their seat becomes vacant.

[CanonRay]

6. He wouldn't let them be filled during Obama's 2nd term.

[SamKnause]

7. The number is up to 190 vacancies filled.

Mitch McConnell blocked the majority of Obama's appointments.

Remember Merrick Garland ???

The republicans and Trump's cult are cheaters.

Cheating is the only way they can maintain their power.

Voter suppression, unfair redistricting, voter I.D.'s, Citizens United, etc.

[EveHammond13]

8. see this RatfuckingTheCourts.com

[TexasBlueDog]

9. Judges were a trumpian priority.

Even before the election trump had the Federalist Society compiling lists of young, rightwing lawyers and judges preinterviewed and ready for confirmation! He has replaced 20% of the Federal Judiciary! 191 rightwing justices in under 3 years! The famous liberal 9th circuit court of appeals is now rightwing majority!!! And two Supreme Court justices!

This is really the most longlasting and problematic results of trumps reign of error. What if he decides to create a few hundred more districts??