As president, Trump has demanded loyalty and criticized appointees from failing to support him. With his Supreme Court pick set to be announced tonight, the task of safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, essential to upholding the integrity of the court and the constitutional framework of the United States, falls to the Senate.

Among the grievances against King George III outlined in the Declaration of Independence was “he has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.”