The Full Read · Article by Article
Tanya Sue Chutkan
District of Columbia · appt. Obama
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
In 2023 she denied Trump's recusal motion in the Jan. 6 case under the proper legal standard; legal analysts widely viewed the motion as weak. No ethics lapse.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
Handled high-profile election-related prosecution within normal process; no defiance of higher courts documented. A viral claim she was 'removed by an ethics board' is fabricated and unsupported.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented reprimand or incivility finding regarding treatment of litigants or counsel.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
Rulings reflect application of statute and precedent; the recusal denial tracked established standards.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented instance of misstating law or mishandling precedent in the public record.
6Independence from Party
70%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
Obama appointee frequently criticized politically, but no documented pattern of party-directed rulings; neutral.
7Personal Integrity
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No criminal, civil, or corruption matters found; the circulated 'removal' story is false and not used.
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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 →