--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The United States Constitution builds…" description: "\"The United States Constitution builds politics right into the process of selecting federal judges. This third branch, the judiciary, is designed to hav..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg" --- # The United States Constitution builds politics right into… ![“The United States Constitution builds politics right into the process of selecting federal judges. This third branch, the judiciary, is designed to have a longer view. To have individuals who are more insulated from politics. They're not elected directly. They're appointed for life. So, politics…” quote by Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg) > “The United States Constitution builds politics right into the process of selecting federal judges. This third branch, the judiciary, is designed to have a longer view. To have individuals who are more insulated from politics. They're not elected directly. They're appointed for life. So, politics enters, but it's also, controlled. And if you bypass this process, I'm not sure what we do.” [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Constitution embeds judicial independence by granting life tenure, insulating judges from political pressure, though the system isn’t foolproof. **In simple terms:** Judges have life terms to stay independent from politics. Key Takeaway Protect judicial independence through tenure. Themes law politics judicial independence Mood analytical concerned Type scholarly policy-oriented When to use this quote - advocating for reforms - educating public on judiciary - monitoring appointments Key Concepts life tenure appointment process checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - How effective is life tenure in preventing bias? - What reforms could strengthen independence? A Different Perspective Political influence can still affect decisions despite safeguards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Federal judges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-judges/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Judiciary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judiciary/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [United states constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states-constitution/) ## Related quotes > [What the framers of the Constitution tried to achieve when they wrote that Constitution back in the 1700s was an independent federal judiciary. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/what-the-framers-of-the-constitution-tried-to-achieve-when-they-wrote/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > [The judiciary has fallen to a very low state in this country. I think your part of the country has suffered especially. The federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-judiciary-has-fallen-to-a-very-low-state-in-this-country-i-think/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [ One single object . . . \[will merit\] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/one-single-object-will-merit-the-endless-gratitude-of-the-society/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The federal judiciary is unlike the other branches of government. And once confirmed, a federal judge serves for life. And there's no court above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-leahy/the-federal-judiciary-is-unlike-the-other-branches-of-government-and/) [Patrick Leahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-leahy/) > [Of course, in the states, about half the states elect their judges, and that's an even more direct involvement with politics. But I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/of-course-in-the-states-about-half-the-states-elect-their-judges-and/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Deanell Tacha and I decided to write an editorial, because both of us have had experiences in countries where the rule of law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/deanell-tacha-and-i-decided-to-write-an-editorial-because-both-of-us/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/there-are-people-who-oppose-a-federal-constitutional-amendment/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [The courage of federal Judge Frank Johnson is well-known.He was the one that gave the legal authority for the right to march from Selma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/the-courage-of-federal-judge-frank-johnson-is-well-known-he-was-the/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [That's not the federal law. What you're confusing is law with the opinion of a justice, what one lone federal judge says is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-moore/that-s-not-the-federal-law-what-you-re-confusing-is-law-with-the/) [Roy Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-moore/) > [It is surely only a matter of time before some federal judge finds the Constitution unconstitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/it-is-surely-only-a-matter-of-time-before-some-federal-judge-finds/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Any analyst at any time can target anyone. Any selector, anywhere I, sitting at my desk, certainly had the authorities to wiretap anyone, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/any-analyst-at-any-time-can-target-anyone-any-selector-anywhere-i/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [The best (remedy) I can devise would be to give future commissions to (federal) judges for six years with a re-appointability by the President…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-remedy-i-can-devise-would-be-to-give-future-commissions-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am one who believes that the people's views and values are represented by those who they elect in the legislative branch and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-allen/i-am-one-who-believes-that-the-people-s-views-and-values-are/) [George Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-allen/) > [Candidates With Deeply Held Christian Beliefs Are Unfit and Disqualified From Serving As A Federal Judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/candidates-with-deeply-held-christian-beliefs-are-unfit-and/) [Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/) > [There's no question that Donald Trump has said things that are very unsettling. I mean, whether it's comparing Mexicans to rapists, demonizing Muslim Americans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/there-s-no-question-that-donald-trump-has-said-things-that-are-very/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) ## More by Martha Minow > [I see, from my vantage point as the vice-chair of the Legal Services Corporation, a serious crisis going on in this country. Eighty percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/i-see-from-my-vantage-point-as-the-vice-chair-of-the-legal-services/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [That's a really sad moment. When people in a democracy are afraid of having the conversation, because it might actually lead to a conclusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/that-s-a-really-sad-moment-when-people-in-a-democracy-are-afraid-of/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [In the era of modern technology, people could just vote on their phones for who they want to be judges. We could amend all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/in-the-era-of-modern-technology-people-could-just-vote-on-their/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Obama is not just a powerful speaker, but a thinker engaged with the ideas of his country and his age--this argument by historian James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/obama-is-not-just-a-powerful-speaker-but-a-thinker-engaged-with-the/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Deanell Tacha and I decided to write an editorial, because both of us have had experiences in countries where the rule of law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/deanell-tacha-and-i-decided-to-write-an-editorial-because-both-of-us/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [“Perhaps we know only by comparing, by drawing distinctions from and similarities to what we already know. But when we use our terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/perhaps-we-know-only-by-comparing-by-drawing-distinctions-from-and/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Deal with just the basic fact: we will never have enough money for lawyers for poor people. So one of our major initiatives has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/deal-with-just-the-basic-fact-we-will-never-have-enough-money-for/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Whether low-income people are dealing with access to veteran's benefits, or a protective order to guard against domestic violence, or a way to guard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/whether-low-income-people-are-dealing-with-access-to-veteran-s/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [One of the paradoxes of liberal societies arises from the commitment to tolerance. A society committed to respecting the viewpoints and customs of diverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/one-of-the-paradoxes-of-liberal-societies-arises-from-the-commitment/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [Of course, in the states, about half the states elect their judges, and that's an even more direct involvement with politics. But I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/of-course-in-the-states-about-half-the-states-elect-their-judges-and/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [You think about the Pledge of Allegiance, "liberty and justice for all." This is at the core of the American creed. The creation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/you-think-about-the-pledge-of-allegiance-liberty-and-justice-for-all/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [I think frustration unfortunately, reflects a real breakdown in the political parties themselves, which is fascinating because our constitution did not anticipate political parties.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/i-think-frustration-unfortunately-reflects-a-real-breakdown-in-the/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [I have to be honest and say members of both political parties have contributed to de-legitimization of the process. Even President Barack Obama when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/i-have-to-be-honest-and-say-members-of-both-political-parties-have/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [In I'm Not A Racist, But..., Lawrence Blum offers answers for our time about what race is, who is a racist, and ways for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/in-i-m-not-a-racist-but-lawrence-blum-offers-answers-for-our-time/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [I understand the politics of the situation, I think that many Republican members of the senate believe that,get out the vote move. They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/i-understand-the-politics-of-the-situation-i-think-that-many/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) [Explore all 19 Martha Minow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/nothing-from-man-s-hands-nor-law-nor-constitution-can-be-final-truth/) [Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/) > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) [Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The United States Constitution builds politics right into the process of selecting federal judges. This third branch, the judiciary, is designed to have a longer view. To have individuals who are more insulated from politics. They're not elected directly. They're appointed for life. So, politics enters, but it's also, controlled. And if you bypass this process, I'm not sure what we do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martha Minow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/the-united-states-constitution-builds-politics-right-into-the-process/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Constitution" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/the-united-states-constitution-builds-politics-right-into-the-process/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e2/martha-minow-28967_constitution_the-united-states-constitution-builds-po_1192320.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The United States Constitution builds politics right into the process of selecting federal judges. This…” — Martha Minow", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martha Minow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The United States Constitution builds politics...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/the-united-states-constitution-builds-politics-right-into-the-process/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/the-united-states-constitution-builds-politics-right-into-the-process/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```