- United States
- Ohio
- Letter
Uphold judicial independence, reject political retaliation against judges
To: Rep. Balderson
From: A constituent in Lancaster, OH
February 20
This proposed resolution aims to impeach Judge Paul Engelmayer for alleged judicial misconduct and abuse of power related to his ruling that halted President Trump's Executive Order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency. The allegations claim Engelmayer demonstrated bias against the President and disregarded legal precedent, potentially influencing case outcomes. However, I cannot recommend impeaching a federal judge solely based on perceived political motivations behind a ruling. Judicial independence is a cornerstone of our democracy, allowing judges to make decisions free from external pressures or retaliation. While disagreements with rulings occur, the proper recourse is through the appeals process rather than impeachment absent clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing or ethics violations. I therefore advise voting against this resolution to uphold judicial integrity and avoid setting a concerning precedent of punitive actions against judges for unpopular but lawful decisions. Maintaining an independent judiciary insulated from political winds is vital for preserving equal justice under law. I urge careful deliberation putting constitutional principles before partisan interests on this consequential matter.