Reagan-Appointed Federal Judge Resigns, Citing Trump’s Alleged Assault on Rule of Law
A federal judge first appointed by former President Ronald Reagan announced his resignation from the bench to speak openly against President Donald Trump’s handling of the justice system.
Mark L. Wolf, who has served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts since 1985, wrote in an essay published in The Atlantic that he had expected to remain on the court for life but could no longer accept the ethical restrictions placed on sitting judges. Wolf accused the Trump administration of using the law for partisan purposes, targeting political adversaries while shielding allies and donors from scrutiny.
“My reason is simple: I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom,” Wolf wrote. “President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment. This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than 50 years in the Department of Justice and on the bench.”
Wolf began his public service career at the Justice Department in 1974, shortly after the Watergate scandal. He served under Attorney General Edward Levi during the Ford administration and credited Levi with instilling in him a commitment to nonpartisan justice. His seat was filled in 2014 by Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee, after Wolf assumed senior status in 2013.
In interviews, Wolf said he hopes to act as a spokesperson for other judges constrained by the code of conduct who feel unable to address the public directly. He intends to engage in advocacy, litigation support, and efforts to protect the rule of law.
The White House pushed back sharply. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital that judges seeking to inject personal agendas into the law have no place on the bench. She pointed to the Trump administration’s record of more than 20 Supreme Court victories upholding its policies despite numerous legal challenges.
“Any other radical judges that want to complain to the press should at least have the decency to resign before doing so,” Jackson added.
GOP Fundraising Advantage Ahead of Midterms
The resignation comes months before November’s midterm elections. Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said Republicans are entering the cycle with a significant financial edge and strong coordination across the conservative movement.
In a Breitbart interview, Gruters contrasted the parties’ resources, noting the DNC’s reported debt position while estimating collective Republican resources could reach around $800 million compared to roughly $350 million for Democrats. He highlighted an upcoming court ruling on coordinated campaign limits that could further benefit GOP spending efforts.
The developments underscore deep partisan divisions over judicial independence, executive power, and campaign financing as the 2026 midterms approach.
