My motto for the year is ‘leave no vacancy behind.’

— Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in comments given to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, about the lasting impact on the federal judiciary he’s helped President Donald Trump create thanks to the Senate’s nonstop confirmation of appointees to lifetime positions. Trump’s 51st federal appellate judge was confirmed earlier this week.

Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.