‘Giving judicial saboteurs new tools’: Conservatives slam new ethics guidance for federal judges
Law enforcement shouldn't be political.
Legal experts and conservatives are taking aim at newly published ethics guidelines that allow federal judges to speak out on certain issues, arguing the guidance issued by the court’s policy-making body is hypocritical and has been unfairly applied.
At issue is new ethics guidance published this month by the U.S. Judicial Conference, the national body led by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in his official capacity and tasked with setting policy for the federal courts.
It is unclear whether Roberts himself was directly involved in the guidance, but critics assailed it all the same. Article III Project founder Mike Davis told Fox News Digital that Roberts is "giving judicial saboteurs new tools" for the courts to overstep.
JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA
In a departure from earlier guidance, the new advisory opinion states that judges may engage in a "measured defense" of the judiciary, including defending against "illegitimate forms of criticism and attacks" that risk "undermining judicial independence or the rule of law," and doing so "regardless of whether these comments rise to the level of persecution," according to a copy of the opinion reviewed by Fox News Digital.
It goes on to list four areas of illegitimate activity identified by Chief Justice Roberts in his 2024 year-end report, including activities that "either threaten the judges themselves" or threaten the rule of law: "Violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy court orders."
"It does not follow, however, that every activity that involves the law or the legal system is considered permissible activity," the report said.
The new guidance comes as Trump has assailed so-called "rogue" or "activist" judges who have paused or blocked some of his biggest policy priorities from taking effect during his second term as president.
It also comes as threats against federal judges saw a sharp uptick in 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period, according to federal data, including increases in online harassment, threats of physical violence and "doxxing" incidents targeting judges and their families.
The guidance in question seemingly attempts to give judges a forum to dispel some of the criticism against them.
EX-JUDGES BLAST TOP TRUMP DOJ OFFICIAL FOR DECLARING ‘WAR’ ON COURTS
But it also invited fresh backlash from Trump allies, conservative commentators and court watchers, who argued the guidance is being unfairly applied to protect certain members of the judiciary.
"The first thing to note" about the new guidance is its …
Law enforcement shouldn't be political.
Legal experts and conservatives are taking aim at newly published ethics guidelines that allow federal judges to speak out on certain issues, arguing the guidance issued by the court’s policy-making body is hypocritical and has been unfairly applied.
At issue is new ethics guidance published this month by the U.S. Judicial Conference, the national body led by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in his official capacity and tasked with setting policy for the federal courts.
It is unclear whether Roberts himself was directly involved in the guidance, but critics assailed it all the same. Article III Project founder Mike Davis told Fox News Digital that Roberts is "giving judicial saboteurs new tools" for the courts to overstep.
JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA
In a departure from earlier guidance, the new advisory opinion states that judges may engage in a "measured defense" of the judiciary, including defending against "illegitimate forms of criticism and attacks" that risk "undermining judicial independence or the rule of law," and doing so "regardless of whether these comments rise to the level of persecution," according to a copy of the opinion reviewed by Fox News Digital.
It goes on to list four areas of illegitimate activity identified by Chief Justice Roberts in his 2024 year-end report, including activities that "either threaten the judges themselves" or threaten the rule of law: "Violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy court orders."
"It does not follow, however, that every activity that involves the law or the legal system is considered permissible activity," the report said.
The new guidance comes as Trump has assailed so-called "rogue" or "activist" judges who have paused or blocked some of his biggest policy priorities from taking effect during his second term as president.
It also comes as threats against federal judges saw a sharp uptick in 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period, according to federal data, including increases in online harassment, threats of physical violence and "doxxing" incidents targeting judges and their families.
The guidance in question seemingly attempts to give judges a forum to dispel some of the criticism against them.
EX-JUDGES BLAST TOP TRUMP DOJ OFFICIAL FOR DECLARING ‘WAR’ ON COURTS
But it also invited fresh backlash from Trump allies, conservative commentators and court watchers, who argued the guidance is being unfairly applied to protect certain members of the judiciary.
"The first thing to note" about the new guidance is its …
‘Giving judicial saboteurs new tools’: Conservatives slam new ethics guidance for federal judges
Law enforcement shouldn't be political.
Legal experts and conservatives are taking aim at newly published ethics guidelines that allow federal judges to speak out on certain issues, arguing the guidance issued by the court’s policy-making body is hypocritical and has been unfairly applied.
At issue is new ethics guidance published this month by the U.S. Judicial Conference, the national body led by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in his official capacity and tasked with setting policy for the federal courts.
It is unclear whether Roberts himself was directly involved in the guidance, but critics assailed it all the same. Article III Project founder Mike Davis told Fox News Digital that Roberts is "giving judicial saboteurs new tools" for the courts to overstep.
JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA
In a departure from earlier guidance, the new advisory opinion states that judges may engage in a "measured defense" of the judiciary, including defending against "illegitimate forms of criticism and attacks" that risk "undermining judicial independence or the rule of law," and doing so "regardless of whether these comments rise to the level of persecution," according to a copy of the opinion reviewed by Fox News Digital.
It goes on to list four areas of illegitimate activity identified by Chief Justice Roberts in his 2024 year-end report, including activities that "either threaten the judges themselves" or threaten the rule of law: "Violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy court orders."
"It does not follow, however, that every activity that involves the law or the legal system is considered permissible activity," the report said.
The new guidance comes as Trump has assailed so-called "rogue" or "activist" judges who have paused or blocked some of his biggest policy priorities from taking effect during his second term as president.
It also comes as threats against federal judges saw a sharp uptick in 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period, according to federal data, including increases in online harassment, threats of physical violence and "doxxing" incidents targeting judges and their families.
The guidance in question seemingly attempts to give judges a forum to dispel some of the criticism against them.
EX-JUDGES BLAST TOP TRUMP DOJ OFFICIAL FOR DECLARING ‘WAR’ ON COURTS
But it also invited fresh backlash from Trump allies, conservative commentators and court watchers, who argued the guidance is being unfairly applied to protect certain members of the judiciary.
"The first thing to note" about the new guidance is its …
0 Comments
0 Shares
47 Views
0 Reviews
