Trump's crime crackdown highlights judge vacancy crisis pushing D.C. courts to the brink
Source: CBS News
September 24, 2025 / 6:00 AM EDT
Washington — The Trump administration has touted its crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., in recent weeks, with increased arrest numbers and reduced violent crime. But the surge of resources to the nation's capital hasn't extended to its courts, which have been hampered by judicial vacancies that have led to a backlog of cases and slowed the administration of justice.
The crisis in the district's courts has persisted for years due to a high volume of open seats for judges. But whether, and when, it subsides rests with the president and Senate under the structure established by Congress more than 50 years ago. Today, there are 13 vacancies on the D.C Superior Court, the district's trial court, and another two judges are on extended medical leave. By January, another two sitting judges are set to retire, which would leave 15 of the Superior Court's 62 seats unfilled.
On the D.C. Court of Appeals, two of its nine seats are open. One of those has been empty since November 2013, and neither have nominees awaiting approval by the Senate.
"With vacancy rates nearing 25% on the trial court, we are set up to fail those who are depending on us for fair and timely legal outcomes," said Douglas Buchanan, spokesman for the D.C. Courts. "Now, in today's reality, our ability to operate is simply not sustainable. It's the case today, and it only stands to grow worse for those we serve."
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dc-court-vacancies-trump-crime-crackdown/
Contrary to the CBS assertion, 45 came in with the lowest number of vacancies in a number of years. However because of the insanity of 45's illegal E.O.s and other violations of law and the Constitution, they have helped to (intentionally) clog the courts.