A prominent conservative U.S. appeals court judge has stepped away from the nation’s largest federal judges association, objecting to what he sees as a politically selective defense of judicial independence.
U.S. Circuit Judge James Ho, a Trump appointee and a potential Supreme Court contender, publicly announced his departure from the Federal Judges Association (FJA) during a Federalist Society event. His resignation follows a rare public statement by the 1,100-member group condemning increasing threats, criticism, and violence against the judiciary.
The statement, issued Wednesday, did not reference specific cases or individuals but warned of the dangers posed by “irresponsible rhetoric shrouded in disinformation.” The timing, however, aligned with growing attacks from figures like billionaire Elon Musk and other Trump allies, who have called for the impeachment of judges perceived as obstructing conservative policies.
U.S. Circuit Judge Michelle Childs, FJA’s president and a Biden appointee, went even further in a private message to members, citing “growing threats, including violence, intimidation, disinformation, and unprecedented impeachments that challenge its independence.”
Ho took issue with the group’s stance, arguing that the association had not shown the same level of concern when conservative judges were targeted. He specifically referenced the 2022 assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which followed the leak of the Supreme Court’s draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
“You can’t say that you’re in favor of judicial independence only when it comes to decisions that you like,” Ho remarked at the Federalist Society’s National Student Symposium. “That’s not protecting the judiciary, that’s politicizing the judiciary.”
He described the FJA’s statement as a departure from its usual approach and criticized it as “sanctimonious.” His dissatisfaction led him to resign the morning after the statement was released.
The FJA has not responded to requests for comment.
