Reagan-appointed judge resigns in protest of Trump, warns of president's 'assault on the rule of law'

A senior federal judge in Massachusetts who was appointed by former President Reagan reported he has resigned in protest against President Donald Trump who he says has been using the law for partisan purposes U S District Judge Mark L Wolf resigned on Friday and explained that the Trump administration's actions that he described as threatening the rule of law compelled him to speak out In a piece for The Atlantic Wolf wrote that he had looked forward to serving for the rest of his life when Reagan appointed him in but decided to step down last week because of Trump's assault on the rule of law that he finds so deeply disturbing I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom the former judge wrote President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from research prosecution and doable punishment This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than years in the Department of Justice and on the bench 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 REAGAN-APPOINTED JUDGE ONCE REBUKED BY SUPREME COURT CONTINUES TO LAMBASTE TRUMP When I accepted the nomination to serve on the U S District Court in Massachusetts I took pride in becoming part of a federal judiciary that works to make our country s ideal of equal justice under law a reality he continued A judiciary that helps protect our democracy That has the authority and responsibility to hold elected executives to the limits of the power delegated to them by the people That strives to ensure that the rights of minority groups no matter how they are viewed by others are not violated That can serve as a check on corruption to prevent masses personnel from unlawfully enriching themselves Becoming a federal judge was an ideal opportunity to extend a noble tradition that I had been educated by experience to treasure Wolf added that he now wants to do everything in my power to combat this day s existential threat to democracy and the rule of law The former judge noted that Trump cannot replace him with a nominee of his own as former President Obama named Judge Indira Talwani as his successor in Wolf criticized the Department of Justice s prosecutions of former FBI Director James Comey and Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James The former judge also took issue with Trump s social media post in which he solicited Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute Comey James and Sen Adam Schiff D-Calif He also disclosed that even if a prosecution ends in an acquittal it can have devastating consequences for the defendant Wolf also wrote that the DOJ must ensure prosecutors do not seek an indictment unless they have sufficient admissible evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt Trump has utterly ignored this principle Wolf wrote Wolf blasted Trump's unconstitutional or otherwise illegal executive orders criticized the president's calls for judges to be impeached for ruling against him disclosed there was corruption by Trump and those in his orbit and emphasized that attacks on the courts have led to actual threats against judges I resigned in order to speak out advocacy litigation and work with other individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting the rule of law and American democracy Wolf wrote I also intend to advocate for the judges who cannot speak publicly for themselves TRUMP S US ATTORNEYS IN BLUE STATES FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES THAT COULD UPEND KEY PROSECUTIONS I cannot be confident that I will make a difference he added I am reminded however of what Senator Robert F Kennedy mentioned in about ending apartheid in South Africa Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope Enough of these ripples can become a tidal wave The U S District Court for the District of Massachusetts noted Wolf's steadfast commitment to the rule of law determination in wrestling with novel issues of fact and law and dedication to making fair equitable and legally sound decisions without fear or favor are the hallmarks of his time on the bench His a multitude of opinions on complex issues of law in notable cases have had a great impact on jurisprudence Chief Judge Denise J Casper disclosed in the report In addition his tenure as Chief Judge led to the increased engagement with the bar and district including the initiation of the Court s bench bar conference and his continued advocacy of the Court s Fellowship Programs I along with my colleagues and this Court society applaud his years of dedicated system