Federal judges serve for life — many for 40 years or more — interpreting laws written for a country that no longer exists. A 20-year cap would protect the courts from politics, not the other way around.
Federal judges serve for life — many for 40 years or more — interpreting laws written for a country that no longer exists. A 20-year cap would protect the courts from politics, not the other way around.
Federal Judges serve for life. Many have served for 40 years. By now we know the law is subject to interpretation. The Supreme Court and lower courts decide virtually all rules of law.
There will always be interpretations of the law. People will continue to challenge the constitutionality of many things. The courts have proven over the years they are affected both by law and culture.
A judge who was appointed in 1910 who may have viewed “all men are created equal” as a legal mandate to prevent women from voting. It doesn’t say women. Then came the suffrage and Equal Rights Act. Women could vote. You wonder how much a 1910 judge can evolve by 1950.
A judge appointed in 1950 had a different view of “all men”. Some men were still treated as if they weren’t equal. Then came the Civil Rights Act. The definitions of “all men” kept changing. Did the judges? Maybe some. But change is hard.
I propose term limits for Federal Judges. 20 years is enough. Judges should be culturally attuned. I don’t know how they do that living in the DC bubble. And timely appointment of judges should be treated like the Federal budget. If the Senate doesn't get the basic work done by a deadline, you have to remain in DC in session until you do. Approving budgets and judges is their basic work. There should be no discussion of new work until basic work is done.
By Don Louis · Published 2026-04-04