(Washington) In the United States, federal judges enjoy lifetime positions and, at 95, magistrate Pauline Newman does not intend to hang up her black robe, despite her colleagues’ doubts about her abilities.
Appointed by former Republican President Ronald Reagan, this recognized expert in intellectual property law is the oldest of some 870 federal judges.
This former researcher, doctor in chemistry, has been practicing since 1984 in a federal appeal court specializing in technical subjects (patents, public contracts or veterans’ pensions, etc.), which require a sharp intellect.
However, “many court employees are worried because Judge Newman can no longer perform certain simple daily tasks, such as identifying herself on the computer network”, wrote three of her colleagues in a document sent to the Court on Tuesday. justice.
Because the future of the magistrate is played out where she made her career: in the courtrooms.
The magistrate has indeed lodged a complaint against the officials of her court after the establishment of a commission to assess whether she suffers from “mental or physical incapacity”.
In her complaint, she points out that, according to the Constitution, only Congress can remove a federal judge.
This episode, the outcome of which remains very uncertain, reminds us of the extent to which American presidents can leave a lasting mark on the courts of their country.
It also illustrates the important place of the elderly in working life. Without a universal retirement plan, many Americans are forced to continue working, others do so by choice, but their end of career can be difficult.