Jimmy Carter, remembered for his transformative leadership, left an indelible mark on the U.S. judiciary during his four-year presidency, shattering longstanding barriers of representation. Although his term lacked a Supreme Court appointment, Carter’s legacy flourished in the lower courts, where he appointed an unprecedented 262 judges, reshaping a bench once dominated by white men.
Among his appointees was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who joined the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. Ginsburg later ascended to the Supreme Court under President Bill Clinton and credited Carter’s vision with inspiring her judicial aspirations. “After Carter, things never went back to the old ways,” she reflected in 2015.
Stephen Breyer, another Carter appointee, followed a similar path to the high court. Together, these appointments symbolized a new era for the judiciary, where diversity became a defining value.
Before Carter’s presidency, only a handful of women and people of color had served as federal judges. In just one term, he appointed 40 women and 57 people of color, including eight women of color, breaking decades of precedent. The 1978 Omnibus Judgeship Act, which added 152 judgeships, further amplified his impact, solidifying his record as the most prolific single-term president in judicial appointments.
Even decades later, no other one-term president has surpassed Carter’s achievements. His influence echoes in today’s judiciary, with leaders like President Joe Biden following in his footsteps by prioritizing representation in federal courts.
Carter’s efforts weren’t just about numbers—they were about changing perceptions. Speaking at an event in 2012, he humbly noted, “I didn’t think what I did required political courage. The nation was ready for it.”
As the world reflects on Carter’s century-long life, his commitment to justice and equality stands as a testament to his enduring vision for a more inclusive America.
