No one is above the law

To the Editor:

The Supreme Court's oral argument proved Donald Trump openly delivered appointments committed to the destruction of Roe v. Wade. The court was shamelessly, brazenly, and politically rigged, as Laura Ingraham basically acknowledged “after all the money that has been raised.” Had I not retired, I would resign my law license in protest.

Legislation authorizing a panel of independent judges to recuse a justice for the standard legal reasons, and to temporarily appoint a Court of Appeal justice for the case, is long overdue. No longer can justices basically decide recusal individually for themselves. The court itself has held no person can be a judge of his own case, or be allowed to select the judge in his own case through political manipulations or donations.

Appointments must require at least 10 years of judicial service (five of them in appellate courts); scrupulous ethics and fairness; clean civil, criminal, and disciplinary records; lack of existing and predictable financial and personal conflicts; recognized legal scholarship concerning federal and constitutional law; complete financial and political transparency; and good character. Unbiased, evenhanded, independent and ethical judges whose decisions enhance the reputation of and respect for the court system are required. Litmus tests preselecting appointees from ideological or similar special interest groups should be illegal.

Whether Roe is or is not good law, Attorney General Garland must protect the court's integrity by opening a criminal investigation of the confirmation processes of all of the Trump Supreme Court appointees, encompassing all relevant potential offenses such as perjury, obstruction and conspiracy to cause deprivation of civil and constitutional rights. Regardless of outcome, a little sunshine about that process is highly desirable, protects the rule of law, and reminds even judges and politicians that no one is above the law.

Steve Monroe

Sonora