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A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018, announced he had resigned from the largest association of federal judges, and last week denounced the recent threats to judges, but blamed how the group issued a rare statement that conservative members of the judiciary had been quiet for years while facing scrutiny and attacks.
Judge James C. Ho of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals announced his departure from the Federal Judges Association at a Saturday lecture event hosted by the conservative Federalist Association at the University of Michigan Law School. This comes in response to a group of 1,100 people who issued a statement on March 5th saying that “judices must be allowed to do their jobs without fear of violence or threats.” Trump and his allies have become increasingly critical of judges who blocked the Department of Efficiency (DOGE) and other aspects of the administration’s agenda, with Doge leader Elon Musk calling for an “immediate wave of judicial bullets each.”
“I was very surprised by the statement, and the next morning I sent an email to the organization saying I wanted to resign,” Ho said of the Federal Judges Association. “I did my research for myself. I also asked the association whether Judge Thomas made such a statement when he was attacked or when Judge Alito was received. Judge Kavanaugh dealt with the assassination attempt. 2023 or 2022?
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James Ho, a nominee appointed as judge for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, will testify at a confirmation hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 15, 2017 (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
“I can’t say I’m in favor of judicial independence only with regard to decisions you like. It doesn’t protect the judiciary. It’s politicizing the judiciary,” Ho said. “It turns out to be true when one of two things is chosen this way. And I think one of these options is a bad thing. The option number one is basically lying. When the shoe is on the other foot, you essentially say we are not seriously committed to the independence of the judiciary, so you don’t really care about this principle because you’re essentially not telling the world.”
“The alternative is probably even worse. That means you’re telling the truth. You care if this is this, this principle, freedom of speech, and that it would be judicial independence. I think this concept applies to a lot of things,” Ho continued. “If you’re telling the truth, you really care about this principle, but there are people who don’t think they deserve this principle you describe because there are only people who are very disgusting to you.”
James Ho, a Taiwan-born American lawyer and legal scholar who serves as a US Circuit Judge, will speak at the Federal Association’s National Lawyer Conference on November 10, 2022 (Washington Post by Getty Images)
“And I think what you might think is a statement born out of righteousness is perceived by many as mere sanctuary,” he concluded.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Federal Judges Association for comments, but did not respond immediately.
Judge rules may be subject to public records requests, the department says it operates “extraordinary secrets.”
US Circuit J. Michelle Child, president of the Federal Judges Association, appointed by former President Joe Biden, wrote to members last week that “judicial justice faces an increasing number of threats, including violence, threats, disinformation and unprecedented threats.”
The Federal Judges Association then issued a longer official statement the following day that did not elaborate on the specific threats to certain judges.
J. Michelle Childs testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on April 27, 2022 (via Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Getty Images)
“Recent events are clear and urgent reminders that federal judges will play an important role in maintaining our democracy as guardians of the rule of law.”
“In our Republic’s history, there has always been a tension between three separate and equal divisions of the federal government, including interpretations of justice. The FJA strives to ensure that accurate information is shared with all American citizens regarding the role of justice as defined by the US Constitution. “Specific decisions issued by judges are prepared for assessments of what “book laws” require, rather than being formed from individual opinions. ”
The group praised people, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who “recently commented on the rise in criticism, threats and violence targeting members of the judiciary.”
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“Irritable rhetoric surrounded by disinformation undermines the public’s confidence that our judicial system can fulfill its constitutional obligations,” the statement said. “Everyone who serves the judicial division of federal judges and government is fundamental to their ability to maintain the rule of law and fulfill their constitutional obligations without fear or undue influence. The erosion of judicial independence is a threat to the constitutional and democratic rules. Judicial.”
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