Despite Dems' efforts to rush through nominees in a lame-duck session, experts predict that Trump will still appoint "dozens" of judges.

Despite Senate Democrats' efforts to confirm as many of President Biden's judges as possible, experts believe President-elect Trump's prospects of appointing judges to the federal bench remain optimistic.

After Republicans threatened to delay Biden's judicial appointments, both parties reached a deal to speed up the confirmation process.

A senior Senate source informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the agreement would enable Democrats to cast votes on four district court judges in exchange for withdrawing four higher-level circuit court judicial nominees.

The four vacancies would then be Trump's to fill.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the trade involved four circuit nominees who lack confirmation votes, in exchange for more than triple the number of additional judges moving forward.

Carrie Severino, president of JCN, told Planet Chronicle Digital that she is glad Republican senators are showing up to vote, as some of the worst nominees are still awaiting confirmation due to a lack of adequate support.

Devon Ombres, senior director of courts and legal policy at CAPAction, expressed confusion when asked about the deal, stating, "I'm at a loss as to why they would get here."

Ombres suggested that it would be beneficial for Democratic leadership and the White House to make an effort to fill the vacancies where possible.

This week, six new judges were confirmed by Schumer, including one circuit court judge and five district court judges, bringing Biden's total number of confirmations to 220. In contrast, Trump achieved 234 confirmations during his first term.

Ombres predicted that circuit judges appointed primarily by former President George W. Bush will take senior status, giving Trump additional vacancies to fill. However, he stated that those appointed by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama will avoid taking senior status.

"Trump will still have a few vacancies to fill, but if the Senate Republicans maintain the blue slip process, it will be more challenging to appoint judges in blue states. However, he will still have the opportunity to strengthen his judicial appointments in areas where there is already a strong presence, particularly in the 11th Circuit."

"Trump will have numerous vacancies to fill when he takes office, in addition to the judges who will take senior status over the next four years, according to Severino."

The Senate Democrat leadership aide stated that the agreement reached allowed for the Senate to vote on cloture on nine district court judges this week and confirm them when they return after Thanksgiving.

GOP senators are expected to continue opposing Democrat-nominated judges, despite the new deal.

"District court judges may not be as important as appellate judges in our judicial system, but they still have the power to issue nationwide injunctions, strike down programs, and issue sweeping opinions."

John Thune, R-S.D., the newly elected Republican Senate leader, spearheaded the Senate slowdown, which was aimed at delaying the confirmation process through tactical maneuvers on the floor.

Trump has previously expressed opposition to judicial confirmations during the lame-duck session, stating on Truth Social, "No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!"

After the Nov. 5 election, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that President Trump would appoint constitutionalist judges who interpret the law as written in his second term.

Severino stated that he hoped the individual would have a similar record of nominating principled and highly qualified candidates this time around, as they had done in the past.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Julia Johnson contributed to this report.