Bloomberg Law Warning From the Chief Justice & Vaccine Ruling
Mar 18, 2026
John E. Jones III, retired federal judge and college president, offers a judicial perspective on civility and risks of personal attacks on judges. Harry Nelson, health care attorney, explains legal fights over RFK Jr.'s attempted reshaping of vaccine advisory bodies and a judge’s injunction halting changes. They discuss judicial conduct, politicization of courts, and legal limits on altering vaccine policy.
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Judicial Civility Protects Public Trust
- Judges must maintain civility to preserve public trust in the judiciary.
- John E. Jones III called Judge Lawrence Van Dyke's vulgar dissent sensationalistic and damaging to collegial working relationships on the Ninth Circuit.
Video Dissent With Firearms Backfired
- Lawrence Van Dyke recorded an 18-minute video dissent brandishing firearms and used inflammatory language in opinions.
- John E. Jones III described those acts as grandstanding that makes the judge come off poorly and risks bipartisan backlash in confirmations.
Chief Justice Warns Attacks Threaten Safety
- Chief Justice John Roberts warned personal attacks on judges create a dangerous environment.
- John E. Jones III said the warning reflects escalating hostility that could lead to violence against judges or their families.