The Full Read · Article by Article
John Zihun Lee
Seventh Circuit · appt. Biden
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
72%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
Ten years as a district judge with no documented disclosure violation, gift issue, or recusal complaint.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
No documented defiance of higher courts or involvement in election subversion in the public record.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No reported reprimands or civility complaints across his district and circuit service.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
No documented sign of result-driven rhetoric; a long trial-bench record without noted grievance-based conduct.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented inconsistency with confirmation testimony or disregard of binding precedent.
6Independence from Party
68%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
No documented pattern of reliable partisanship or notable crossings on the Seventh Circuit.
7Personal Integrity
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Former assistant U.S. attorney and district judge with no documented criminal, civil, or corruption matter.
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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 →