Graham emerges as go-to ally for Biden’s judicial picks

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamThis Thanksgiving, skip the political food fights and talk UFOs instead Biden move to tap oil reserves draws GOP pushback Schumer-McConnell dial down the debt ceiling drama MORE (R-S.C.) went viral during the Trump administration, and bolstered his conservative cred, with a fiery defense of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughRace is not central to Rittenhouse case — but the media shout it anyway GOP senators appalled by ‘ridiculous’ House infighting Joy Reid compares Kyle Rittenhouse’s ‘male white tears’ to Justice Kavanaugh’s MORE. But now, he is quietly emerging as one of the GOP’s most frequent supporters of President BidenJoe BidenUS lawmakers arrive in Taiwan to meet with local officials Biden meets with Coast Guard on Thanksgiving Five reasons for Biden, GOP to be thankful this season MORE‘s judicial nominees.

The evolution is the latest turn for the South Carolina Republican and former Judiciary Committee chair — regarded by his critics as a political chameleon but one known for his relationships with Democrats and willingness to shift within his own party.

Graham’s support for Biden’s court picks comes even as he remains deeply enmeshed with both former President TrumpDonald TrumpFive reasons for Biden, GOP to be thankful this season Giving thanks for Thanksgiving itself Immigration provision in Democrats’ reconciliation bill makes no sense MORE — touting his own judicial nominees — and faces a GOP base deeply antagonistic toward Biden and congressional Democrats.

“He believes presidents who win the election get to appoint judges, subject obviously to extreme cases, and I think he’s following through on it,” said Russell Wheeler, a fellow with the Brookings Institution who studies judicial confirmations.

Graham has touted his willingness to support a president’s judicial nominees even if he doesn’t agree with their philosophy, noting he was one of nine GOP senators who voted for Justice Sonia SotomayorSonia SotomayorSupreme Court grapples with excluding Puerto Rico from federal benefits program Will Supreme Court allow constitutional oversight to be outmaneuvered by Texas abortion law? Press: In war among Catholics, Pope Francis sides with Biden MORE’s Supreme Court nomination in 2009 and one of five who supported Elena KaganElena KaganWhy did courts hit pause for Trump — but not Texas abortions? Supreme Court wrestles with limits on digital billboard ads, free speech Supreme Court grapples with FBI bid to scuttle post-9/11 lawsuit MORE a year later.

“Senator Graham has long believed that under the Constitution the president has the right to select judges of their choosing and as long as they are qualified, they should generally be confirmed by the Senate,” Graham’s office said in a statement.

“This is the traditional and customary role of the Senate in the judicial confirmation process,” it added.

Graham’s support for Biden’s nominees…