Of the lower court judges who have blocked President Donald Trump’s executive orders and other administration actions since he returned to office in January, Democrat appointees have outnumbered Republican appointees by about 3-1. The ratio is evidence of a common practice called “forum shopping” that is done with highly politicized litigation.

Forum shopping is where plaintiffs in a lawsuit seek to have their cases heard by certain judges in certain judicial districts who they believe will be more friendly to their arguments and more likely to rule in their favor.

Federal district judges have blocked Trump’s executive actions on immigration policy, election integrity, transgender policy, and federal employees, as well as initiatives by the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency. 

Of 61 lower court judges who have ruled against Trump—in some cases more than once—49 were appointed by Democrats. Of those, former President Barack Obama appointed 21, former President Joe Biden appointed 19, former President Bill Clinton appointed nine, and President Jimmy Carter appointed one.

The others were appointed by Republican presidents, including Trump, who appointed five of the judges who ruled against his policies. 

These numbers are based on published reports and an artificial intelligence analysis. 

Notably, some Democrat appointees who halted Trump’s policies in one case sided with his administration in another........

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