Definition
A judge appointed in the final days of an administration to shape the judiciary for years to come, basically legislating from the bench before leaving office.
Example Usage
The outgoing president rushed through midnight judiciary appointments to secure the federal courts for decades.
Origin
Historically applied to judicial appointments made by President John Adams before Thomas Jefferson took office
Fun Fact
Federal judges serve lifetime appointments, making late-term judicial appointments among the most consequential decisions presidents make
Source: Judicial appointment terminology
Related Terms
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See “Midnight Judiciary” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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