Barack Obama: “L. Paige Marvel, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years. (Reappointment)”

The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president.

Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same.

I think when we act on that basis, it doesn't always work out, but over time things do get better.

It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say.