'Losing it mentally': Federal judge’s forced retirement leads to bitter battle

26 May 2023

There is currently a dispute brewing over the retirement age for federal judges. According to The Hill, the current retirement age is 95 years old, but questions are now looming about whether or not that limit should be changed.

The news outlet reports that the latest feud focuses on whether or not 95-year-old Pauline Newman should be allowed to run for re-election and if Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the United States' oldest elected senator should be allowed to complete the duration of her term.

The court filing notes that concerns about Newman come as court employees note that she is “'simply losing it mentally' with some describing her as 'paranoid,'" The Hill reports.

Now, a formal investigation has been lodged to ensure Newman is fit for office.

“Based on its investigation to date, the Committee has determined that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that Judge Newman might suffer a disability that interferes with her ability to perform the responsibilities of her office,” the judges wrote.

The investigation has caused more tension with Newman firing back to defend herself. Earlier this month, Newman filed a suit in an effort to block an investigation into whether or not she's fit to continue serving.

In the complaint, Newman's attorney argued that she is more than capable to continue serving.

“At all relevant times, Judge Newman has been and is in sound physical and mental health,” Newman’s attorney wrote. “She has authored majority and dissenting opinions in the whole range of cases before her Court, has voted on petitions for rehearing en banc, and has joined in the en banc decisions of the Court.”

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