McConnell Criticizes Judges for Reversing Retirement Decisions After Trump Re-Election

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., expressed sharp criticism on Monday over the decisions of two federal judges to reverse their announced retirements following Republican former President Donald Trump’s re-election in November.

McConnell labeled the judges as “partisan Democrat district judges” and accused them of undermining the voters’ decision. “The American people voted to fire Democrats last month, yet these judges are choosing to ‘unretire’ in a blatant act of partisanship,” McConnell stated in a speech on the Senate floor.

Highlighting historical precedent, McConnell noted, “Only two judges in history have ever unretired after a presidential election — one Democrat in 2004 and one Republican in 2009. But in just a few weeks, Democrats have already matched that record. It’s hard to see this as anything other than open political maneuvering.”

One of the judges, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley of Ohio, had initially planned to retire but informed President Biden in mid-November of his intention to remain on the bench. Judge Marbley cited Biden’s delay in nominating a replacement as a factor in his decision.

McConnell’s remarks reflect growing Republican frustration over what they view as judicial partisanship, raising concerns about the precedent such actions could set for the judiciary.