‘Giving judicial saboteurs new tools’: Conservatives slam new ethics guidance for federal judges
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...
By Fox News · Fox News
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 peri…