EPISODE · Jun 8, 2026 · 15 MIN
The Midnight Judge Factory
from Power Plays · host Podcaster
When presidents lose elections, they don't just pack their bags—they pack the courts. We explore the little-known tradition of lame-duck judicial appointments, from John Adams' original 'midnight judges' to modern confirmation wars, and how a constitutional loophole became a weapon for extending political influence decades beyond a single term. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
When presidents lose elections, they don't just pack their bags—they pack the courts. We explore the little-known tradition of lame-duck judicial appointments, from John Adams' original 'midnight judges' to modern confirmation wars, and how a constitutional loophole became a weapon for extending political influence decades beyond a single term.
NOW PLAYING
The Midnight Judge Factory
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Apr 21, 2026 ·73m
Apr 18, 2026 ·95m
Apr 15, 2026 ·55m
Apr 13, 2026 ·68m
Apr 11, 2026 ·59m
Apr 9, 2026 ·66m