🚫 Not fit for public office. Fewer than three stars, and a critical Article fails (Open Books). This isn’t a close call. Expect to hear from us — often.
Editorial opinion — our judgment against the Seven Articles, not a legal disqualification or an allegation of any crime. Ratings terms · Challenge this review
1Open Bookscritical
38%☆ not yet
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
Divested defense stocks under his ethics agreement, but 2026 brought a self-dealing allegation over a defense-fund contact ahead of Iran strikes.
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
80%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No election-denial or Jan-6 involvement on the page; the peaceful-handoff standard is largely untouched.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
22%☆ not yet
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Attacked the journalist as "peddling hoaxes" rather than engage after the Signalgate disclosure.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
41%☆ not yet
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
A "warrior ethos" vision framed against internal enemies.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
38%☆ not yet
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Caricatures and dismisses critics. Self-styles "Secretary of War" and runs off war.gov though only Congress can enact that rename; the Signalgate lapse further undercuts word-and-action consistency.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
41%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Open to troops, sealed to critics.
60
7Morality
38%☆ not yet
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted imminent strike details to a chat including a journalist in “Signalgate,” which an IG found violated regulations, then attacked the reporter.
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 Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →