No nation or people can avoid turning to the judiciary, which is considered a safe haven. Even in countries where the judiciary is perceived as flawed, the need to maintain its prestige and standing is essential. The United States Constitution and its judicial system, which have been breached occasionally, are often regarded as a model of relative perfection. However, they are not entirely immune to political interference, particularly in the appointment of Supreme Court judges by the US President.
This selection has often been influenced by the President’s whims and partisan leanings, rather than solely on merit. The American judiciary is distinguished by its constitutional independence from the executive and legislative branches. Article 3 of the Constitution stipulates that Federal Court judges, including Supreme Court judges, are appointed for life, provided they maintain good conduct .
Supreme Court judges can only be removed through the complex impeachment procedures conducted by Congress, not by a decision of the president or the executive authority. The Supreme Court has the authority to interpret laws and review the constitutionality of actions taken by Congress and the President.
The executive authority does not have the right to interfere with or amend judicial rulings, although the president can exert political influence through the selection of nominees for high judicial positions.
During the current presidential term, US President Donald Trump made decisions that could have been overturned by the Supreme Court were it not for the conservative majority he controlled, a majority he helped select, which voted on more than one occasion in favor of his decisions, some of which were controversial. Despite this, the independence of the Supreme Court justices remains intact.
Congress, not the Attorney General or the executive authority, determines the salaries of Supreme Court judges and other federal judges. Their salaries are included in the federal budget by law. The U.S. Constitution explicitly states that federal judges’ salaries cannot be reduced while they are in office to ensure that this cannot be used as a means of pressure or punishment. Their salaries can only be increased.
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During my relatively short time working in construction contracting 50 years ago, the company won a contract to build a mosque on the fairgrounds. It required me to visit the office of an official from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to arrange for electricity to be supplied from a ministry-affiliated facility near the construction site. I happened to be in his office with a number of imams and was disturbed by the poor treatment they received from that senior official when submitting requests for loans, financial settlements, leave of absence, or transfers.
They were subjected to harsh treatment, with no regard for their status. How can we expect them to guide others when they are in such a difficult psychological state? Even those who hold sensitive and critical positions face similar treatment after retirement.
The prestige they enjoyed during their service suddenly vanishes. They are forced to submit their retirement paperwork to individuals younger and less senior than themselves, after years of dedicated and arduous service. Such individuals deserve better treatment, one that preserves their dignity. Modern electronic methods can be used to process their retirement paperwork, eliminating the need to carry their documents from one office to another.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
