There is no place for a federal judge who uses racist, divisive language.
Today, I called for Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull to resign.
In a letter I sent to Judge Cebull this afternoon, I wrote: "you flagrantly violated the Judicial Code of Conduct, and I am urging you to resign from your position on the federal District Court for Montana effective immediately." [To read the letter, click HERE.]
On Feb. 20, 2012, Cebull distributed to his friends and associates an email that likened biracial relationships to bestiality and joked that President Obama's mother had sex with a dog. Further, he forwarded the disturbing e-mail from his court-issued account at taxpayers' expense.
As a former magistrate judge and trial lawyer, and now as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I have a Constitutional responsibility to oversee the administration of the courts and protect the integrity of the judiciary.
Judge Cebull's actions not only impugned his impartiality, but undermined the integrity of the entire federal judicial system. There is no place for a federal judge who promotes racist and divisive language. It is an affront to the district judges of Montana, and to every other member of the judiciary throughout America when a chief federal district court judge cheapens the office by distributing racially offensive statements.
The public can no longer be assured that Judge Cebull's judgment is not biased by racist sentiments.
Therefore, he should resign from his office immediately.
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Not only racist, but this guy sounds like if he knew a party involved in a case he oversaw was an Obama supporter or Obama hater, his judgement would be swayed by that. Impartiality is obviously not his strong suit.
Additionally, I read the email he sent and it is creepily hateful and disgusting. He says that he hopes all of his friends that read the email feel the same way he does. Disseminate hate, much? On the tax payers dime?
At first I thought it might be a little extreme to call for this guy to resign: not now that I've read what he sent. He has no business being a judge.
When asked about the comment his office said the Congressman had been diagnosed with hepatitis c and the medication he was taking left him "unable to make rational decisions"
Which is exactly why Judge Cebull will not do it.
There is no honor among thieves.
Think about it. If you were a person of color, would you feel comfortable having your case argued before this man?
Selfish, hateful, not-too-bright, terrible judgement and doesn't give a danm about America.
you have scratched the surface of a much larger problem, and I believe your proposed solution is inadequate. Whenever we address the issue of conflict-of-interest or potential bias, we examine the documented record. While this is obviously one piece of useful information, it is really the tip of the iceberg. Much more serious is the question of 'intent'. What are this person's unstated beliefs? Do you believe the Judge is unique in his views? More important than examining his words, one should examine his actual actions and decisions to ascertain whether patterns of bias or favoritism are evident. That should be the basis for dismissal, not just words. But of course, looking for patterns of bias takes real work, whereas looking for politically incorrect language is much easier. All this will do is insure the real racists are much more careful in what they document, while maintaining their biases in practice.