Native Judges Belong on the Federal Bench

In his Native American Heritage Month proclamation this year, President Biden touted the “dozens of Senate-confirmed Native American officials, and over 80 Native American appointees serving across my Administration and in the Federal courts.” While Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) stands out as a powerfully important example of Native representation in the federal government, Native judges remain severely underrepresented on our nation’s federal courts. Before the Biden administration, fewer than 10 Native Americans,  Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians total — out of thousands — have ever served as lifetime judges.

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