The Liberty Score is a rating system assessing how closely an individual’s views align with core Libertarian principles. Scores are based on a 0-100 scale, with 100 representing a fully Libertarian position and 0 representing complete opposition to Libertarian values. The grading criteria include:
Each category will be scored, then averaged to form the individual’s overall Liberty Score, providing a clear snapshot of their alignment with Libertarian ideals. Grades are provided by AI
Liberty Score Assessment:
Personal Freedom (10/25): Dean John Sauer has defended expansive views of presidential immunity, arguing that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted for official acts, even in extreme scenarios. This perspective may undermine accountability mechanisms essential for protecting individual liberties.
Economic Freedom (10/25): Sauer’s legal career has primarily focused on constitutional and criminal law, providing limited insight into his positions on economic policies and market regulations.
Limited Government (10/25): By advocating for broad executive authority and immunity, Sauer’s positions suggest support for a strong central government, which contrasts with Libertarian principles favoring limited governmental power.
Non-Intervention (10/25): Sauer’s legal work does not prominently feature foreign policy or military intervention issues, making his stance on non-interventionist principles unclear.
Bio: D. John Sauer, an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in appellate litigation, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the Solicitor General of the United States. Born on November 13, 1974, Sauer earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Duke University. He attended Oriel College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in theology, and later received a Master of Arts in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. Sauer graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he served as an articles editor for the Harvard Law Review. Following law school, he clerked for Judge J. Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and for Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court. From 2017 to 2023, Sauer served as the Solicitor General of Missouri, representing the state in significant appellate cases. Notably, he was the lead counsel representing President Trump in the Supreme Court case Trump v. United States, securing a landmark decision on presidential immunity.
Career Highlights:
About the Solicitor General Role: The Solicitor General of the United States represents the federal government before the U.S. Supreme Court, overseeing appellate litigation and determining the legal positions the government takes in court. The Solicitor General plays a crucial role in shaping the government’s legal strategy and ensuring consistent legal interpretations across federal agencies. Sauer’s extensive appellate experience and prior service as Missouri’s Solicitor General position him to effectively advocate for the United States in the nation’s highest courts.