**Trump Urges Senate Republicans to Block Biden’s Judicial Confirmations Amidst Fierce Showdown**

President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to thwart the Democrats' efforts to confirm a growing number of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees. The urgency stems from Biden inching closer to surpassing Trump's own record of judicial confirmations in a single term.

With only 15 confirmations shy of Trump's benchmark, Democrats successfully appointed two more judges on Wednesday by narrow 50-48 votes. This was partly facilitated by the absence of Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Braun of Indiana.

In a intensifying clash, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is preparing for a key battle over judicial confirmations with outgoing Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is swiftly pushing through Biden's nominees before the year’s end. This move by Schumer aims to break the record set during the Trump administration under Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) leadership.

Adding complexity to the situation, Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.V.) has signaled a potential shift in his voting stance. Previously committed to supporting only nominees who garnered some Republican endorsement, he suggested on Thursday that he may now back Democratic judicial nominees even if they lack GOP support. Manchin's position could be pivotal for Democrats in achieving their confirmation goals.

Incoming GOP Senate leaders are quickly aligning with Trump’s demand to leverage Senate procedures to expedite the approval of his chosen administration officials. This alignment underscores the aggressive approach Trump plans to adopt upon assuming office, as Senate leadership contenders strive to showcase their loyalty and readiness to collaborate with the President-elect.