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Supreme Court Upholds Suspension of Judge Newman

6/16/2026

28 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On June 15, 2026, the Supreme Court denied Judge Pauline Newman’s petition for certiorari, leaving her suspension in place.
The Judicial Council, led by Chief Judge Kimberly Moore, suspended Newman in 2023 after staff reported memory loss and other health concerns.
A lower court dismissed Newman’s lawsuit, which the D.C. Circuit affirmed in 2025.
The New Civil Liberties Alliance called the Supreme Court’s denial a blow to judicial independence.

History

Historical Context

In 1989 the Senate convicted Judge Alcee Hastings, after a 413-3 House impeachment and a 69-26 vote on the first article, removing him from the bench. That precedent of congressional removal informs the 2026 Supreme Court’s denial of Judge Pauline Newman’s petition, which left Chief Judge Kimberly Moore’s 2023 suspension in force and drew criticism from the Civil Liberties Alliance.

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Story summary

On June 15, 2026, the Supreme Court denied Judge Pauline Newman’s petition for certiorari, leaving her suspension in place.
The Judicial Council, led by Chief Judge Kimberly Moore, suspended Newman in 2023 after staff reported memory loss and other health concerns.
A lower court dismissed Newman’s lawsuit, which the D.C. Circuit affirmed in 2025.
The New Civil Liberties Alliance called the Supreme Court’s denial a blow to judicial independence.

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