Just last week, though, Durbin voted to confirm two of Trump’s nominees, David Clay Fowlkes and Aaron Peterson, to serve as life-tenured federal judges. And he’s not the only one: During Trump’s second term, 19 Democrats have voted to confirm at least one of Trump’s nominees. New Hampshire Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen have voted to confirm six and seven nominees, respectively, and Rhode Island senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, has voted for five. Among Senate Democrats, Durbin and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine are tied for the lead in this ignominious category with eight yes votes apiece.
David Clay Fowlkes has a history as a career prosecutor and state attorney. He passed 54 to 40.
Cristian Stevens is the same, a private lawyer and then an assistant attorney for the state and finally for the last 5 years a judge.
If you want to know why then look no further than the supreme court. Look at his cabinet, too. Look at Pete Hegseth. If the GOP finds a loyal partisan then they demonstrably do not need permission from the DNC to get them into power. Engaging in these discussions and voting on compromises is damage control.