
Slate Daily Feed Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - He Quit the Bench to Raise the Alarm
Nov 15, 2025
Retired federal judge Mark L. Wolf discusses his decision to leave the bench, citing alarming threats to the rule of law. He emphasizes the need for judges to uphold integrity amidst political pressure. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins to reveal his state's proactive legal strategies against federal overreach, particularly concerning SNAP benefits and election integrity. Together, they highlight the crucial role of state litigation in defending democracy and the urgency for citizens to engage in the fight for justice.
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Watergate Reforms Were Cultural And Institutional
- Post-Watergate reforms combined institutional rules with a culture change at DOJ.
- Wolf warns Trump reverses that culture by openly using DOJ for partisan ends.
Closed Undercover Probe Into DHS Official
- Wolf recounts an FBI undercover probe that allegedly paid $50,000 to DHS official Tom Hohman.
- DOJ closed the case after the election and the White House declared it not credible.
Protect Judicial Impartiality And Enforce Orders
- Judges must avoid public comments that could question their impartiality to preserve trust.
- Citizens should insist presidents obey court orders and defend judicial legitimacy.




