Federal Judge Mark L. Wolf, who was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1985, has resigned from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in order to publicly criticize the Trump administration and express concerns about the state of the American legal system.
Wolf, who had served on the federal bench for decades and took senior status in 2013, explained that judicial ethics rules prevented him from openly speaking about political matters while remaining a judge. In an essay published in The Atlantic on November 9, 2025, he argued that the administration’s actions represented a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law.
The former judge accused the administration of using the justice system in a partisan way by targeting political opponents while protecting allies. He described the situation as an “assault on the rule of law” and said he could no longer remain silent after years of concern.
Wolf began his legal career at the Department of Justice in 1974 during the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. He said his professional values were shaped by former Attorney General Edward Levi, who promoted the idea that justice must remain independent from politics.
The White House responded forcefully to Wolf’s criticism. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson called judges like Wolf “radical judges” who were attempting to inject personal political views into the legal system. She argued that judges who wish to participate in political debate should resign before doing so, adding that Wolf had followed that principle by stepping down first.
Jackson also defended the administration by pointing to numerous Supreme Court victories as proof that its policies were legally justified. Wolf’s resignation has fueled debate over judicial independence, political activism, and the growing tensions between the courts and the executive branch.
