In an unexpected twist, a Texas federal judge often favored by conservatives issued decisions this week that aligned with the Biden administration and Special Counsel Jack Smith, raising eyebrows in legal and political circles.
Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee and frequent figure in cases challenging progressive policies, dismissed two lawsuits seen as critical to conservative interests.
One case, brought by a think tank challenging energy-efficiency standards for washing machines and dishwashers, was rejected on jurisdictional grounds. Kacsmaryk ruled that such challenges must be taken up with federal appeals courts, referencing past legal precedents to bolster his decision.
The second ruling involved Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to block Jack Smith from allegedly destroying records tied to criminal investigations into Donald Trump. Kacsmaryk dismissed the case as lacking credible allegations, describing Paxton’s effort as “unserious.”
Both cases were heard in Amarillo, a venue known for attracting conservative litigants due to Kacsmaryk’s record of rulings against Biden administration policies on issues like immigration, LGBTQ rights, and gun control.
This shift in rulings surprised some observers, given Kacsmaryk’s prior decisions, including his headline-making attempt to suspend FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone—a move later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legal representatives in both cases are now weighing their next steps, with appeals potentially on the horizon. For now, these rulings mark a rare departure from expectations in a courtroom often viewed as a conservative stronghold.
