A Texas federal judge often aligned with conservative causes has taken a surprising turn, delivering two wins to the Biden administration and Special Counsel Jack Smith. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, known for high-profile rulings challenging progressive policies, dismissed cases aimed at opposing energy regulations and targeting Smith’s handling of investigative records related to Donald Trump.
In the first case, Kacsmaryk rejected a lawsuit from the Competitive Enterprise Institute challenging federal energy-efficiency rules for household appliances. The suit, filed in June, argued that new caps on water usage for washers and dishwashers imposed excessive burdens on consumers. However, the judge ruled that jurisdiction for such challenges lies exclusively with federal appellate courts, not his courtroom.
In the second case, Kacsmaryk denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to block potential destruction of records tied to Smith’s investigations into Trump. Paxton, citing fears of lost documents, sought emergency intervention. Kacsmaryk dismissed the effort as speculative, stating no evidence suggested records had been or were likely to be destroyed.
These decisions mark a notable departure for Kacsmaryk, whose court in Amarillo has become a favored venue for conservative litigants. Critics accuse plaintiffs of “judge shopping” to take advantage of his perceived ideological leanings. The judge previously made headlines by suspending FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone—a decision later overruled by the Supreme Court.
The rulings underscore the nuanced role of federal courts in balancing ideological leanings with procedural law. Both cases may yet find life in appeals courts, with the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Paxton’s office weighing their next moves.
For now, the decisions have injected an unexpected twist into ongoing battles over energy policy and Trump’s legal entanglements, underscoring that even in politically charged cases, the rule of law can defy expectations.
