Jamie Raskin Questions Judges on Ruling to Please Presidents

Judicial Oaths and Independence

• ⚖️ Federal and state judges swear an oath to faithfully discharge their duties under the Constitution and laws of the United States.
• 🎯 Judges should decide cases based on the law and Supreme Court dictates, not on whether a decision would please a public official.
• 🏛️ The independence of the judiciary is enshrined in Article 3 of the Constitution and judges must decide without fear or favor.

Concerns Over Trump Nominee Conduct

• 📌 A federal district court nominee, Ed Arttoww, allegedly lobbied for his nomination while sitting on a state court panel that heard a case involving Donald Trump.
• ✍️ In a concurring opinion, the judge reportedly reprinted Trump's statements and argued that the actual malice standard from New York Times v. Sullivan should be overturned.
• 🗣️ This judge's actions suggest a potential decision made to please a president who might appoint him, rather than solely based on legal principles.

ABA Vetting System for Nominees

• 📜 The American Bar Association (ABA) previously vetted federal judicial nominees for qualifications and ethical requirements since 1955.
• 🚫 In March, Trump announced he would no longer provide the ABA access to materials needed for vetting nominees.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Shortly after, Trump nominated one of his personal attorneys, Emil Bo, to a circuit court, who had previously ordered the dismissal of corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams.
• ❓ It is unclear if the judicial conference will take a position on restoring the ABA vetting system.