A federal judge, appointed by President Trump in 2018, has stepped down from a prominent judges’ association, criticizing the organization for its recent stance on threats against judges. Judge James C. Ho, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, expressed his disappointment during a speech at the Federalist Society’s event at the University of Michigan Law School. He noted that while the Federal Judges Association condemned threats on March 5, it has remained silent about ongoing attacks against conservative judges in the past years.
In his resignation, Judge Ho cited the hypocrisy of the association. He mentioned that despite significant threats faced by judges like Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the group failed to address these concerns until now. He stated, “I was very surprised by that statement. Did we see these statements in recent years? From what I can tell, no.”
Ho criticized the notion of judicial independence being protected only when it suits certain perspectives. He argued that this selective approach to defending the judiciary undermines true independence. “You can’t say that you’re in favor of judicial independence only when it comes to decisions that you like,” he remarked, indicating that this sentiment reflects a deeper issue within the association.
He expressed concern that failing to acknowledge attacks on conservative judges sends a message that the organization does not genuinely care about judicial independence. “What you may think is a statement born of righteousness I think is perceived by a lot of people as merely sanctimonious,” he added.
The Federal Judges Association has recently highlighted growing threats against judges and emphasized the importance of protecting the judiciary’s independence. However, their statements have not detailed specific incidents, leaving many to question their commitment to the cause.
This controversy showcases the ongoing struggle within the judicial community regarding how to address threats and uphold the integrity of the judiciary. As political tensions rise, it remains paramount that all judges, regardless of their political leanings, receive equal support and protection in their roles.
