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Conservative Judge Resigns Rather Than Stay Silent On Trump’s Constitutional Assault (www.techdirt.com)

submitted 1 week ago by BrikoX@lemmy.zip to c/usa@midwest.social

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Reagan-appointed federal judge Mark Wolf has resigned from the bench in Massachusetts, and his explanation is blunt: he can no longer bear the ethical constraints that prevent judges from speaking out publicly while Trump dismantles the rule of law.

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[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 34 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Fucking coward. Stay at your post and defend the fucking Constitution. Even if every one of your rulings gets overturned by the corrupt Supreme Court, at least there will be an enduring public record of your objection to Trump's illegal activity.

Quitting just means fewer voices speaking out against his overreach. Eventually they will be drowned out by his loyalists, and there will be no more objections.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 13 points 6 days ago (1 children)

you should read the article before maligning him. As a judge his speech right is limited but once he is not a judge he is free to speak:

When I became a senior judge in 2013, my successor was appointed, so my resignation will not create a vacancy to be filled by the president.

More importantly, Wolf’s making clear this resignation isn’t symbolic retreat—it’s tactical:

I resigned in order to speak out, support litigation, and work with other individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting the rule of law and American democracy. I also intend to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves.

[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I disagree. His decisions in court are far more important than his opinions outside of it. There are plenty of advocacy groups out there. Adding more voices to that side of the bench doesn't matter if all the judges left, are compromised.

If every judge with a solid ethical foundation resigns, so they can "speak out"...there won't be any left to "hear" the cases that are challenging the administration's crimes.

[–] JamesTBagg@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

If they're speaking out, advocatingor protesting while still sitting behind the bench they risk losing the appearance of impartiality.

[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 0 points 6 days ago

Then they pick a lane. Either use their authority to actually do the work...or give it up, so they can talk about it. My opinion is, they should do the work.