A federal judge appointed by Ronald Reagan has stepped down from the bench to publicly challenge President Donald Trump’s approach to the Justice Department and the rule of law.
The former U.S. District Court judge for Massachusetts announced his resignation after more than 50 years in federal service, beginning at the Department of Justice in 1974. He cited concerns about Trump’s use of the legal system for partisan purposes.
Judge’s Statement
“I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom,” the judge wrote in his resignation announcement. “President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment.”
He noted that his career began shortly after the Watergate scandal and was shaped by Attorney General Edward Levi’s commitment to nonpartisan justice. “This is contrary to everything that I have stood for,” he wrote.
“The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out. Silence, for me, is now intolerable,” he added.
The Reaction
The judge told The New York Times he hoped to serve as a voice for other judges who feel constrained by judicial conduct rules. “I hope to be a spokesperson for embattled judges who, consistent with the code of conduct, feel they cannot speak candidly to the American people,” he said.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the criticism, stating that judges attempting to inject personal agendas into law have no place on the bench. “With over 20 Supreme Court victories, the Trump Administration’s policies have been consistently upheld by the Supreme Court as lawful despite an unprecedented number of legal challenges,” Jackson said.
“And any other radical judges that want to complain to the press should at least have the decency to resign before doing so,” she added.
What This Means
The judge’s resignation marks a rare instance of a sitting federal judge stepping down to openly oppose an administration. His successor was nominated after he assumed senior status in 2013, with Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee, formally assuming the seat in 2014.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
