INDEPENDENT2026

The Full Read · Article by Article

Benjamin Michael Flowers

Sixth Circuit · appt. Trump
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
70%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
Confirmed July 2026; very limited public record shows no documented ethics or recusal issue.
60
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
72%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
Former Ohio solicitor general and Scalia clerk; no documented anti-democratic conduct, limited public record.
60
3Judicial Temperament
70%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented complaints or reprimands for abusive conduct; limited public record.
60
4Reason, Not Ideology
70%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
Extensive advocacy as solicitor general reflects his client role; no documented judicial result-driven rhetoric, limited record.
60
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
70%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
At his hearing he framed defending state laws as an advocate's duty; no documented candor problem, limited record.
60
6Independence from Party
68%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
Trump appointee confirmed on a party-line vote; no judicial record yet, scored at the neutral independence default.
60
7Personal Integrity
72%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented criminal, civil, or corruption matter; limited public record.
60
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Ethics & Recusal or Fidelity to Democracy and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →

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