Federal Judges Face Scrutiny Over Hostility Toward Trump, Raising Questions About "Trump Derangement Syndrome"
Federal judges have come under the spotlight for displaying what some critics see as unusually sharp hostility toward former President Donald Trump, with remarks comparing his administration’s actions to those of Nazis and describing Trump himself as acting like a “king” or “dictator.” Allegations of "racism" and "animus" toward transgender individuals have also surfaced, according to a recent Washington Times report examining whether the judiciary is showing signs of "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Trump, unsurprisingly, has fired back. As the Times noted, he has called for the impeachment of one judge, demanded the recusal of another from his cases, and even filed an ethics complaint against a third.
South Texas College of Law professor Josh Blackman told the Times that the dynamic has become a "destructive cycle," where Trump’s combative rhetoric provokes judges into "overreacting," which in turn escalates Trump's own attacks. “Judges should resist the temptation and stay in their lane. Lecturing Trump is not an effective use of the judicial power,” Blackman emphasized.
One of the more vocal critics from the bench has been U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee originally from Uruguay. During a hearing on Trump-era policies regarding transgender military service, Reyes pressed a government lawyer with a pointed moral hypothetical:
“What do you think Jesus would say to telling a group of people that they are so worthless, so worthless that we’re not going to allow them into homeless shelters? Do you think Jesus would be, ‘Sounds right to me’? Or do you think Jesus would say, ‘WTF? Of course, let them in?’”
Reyes further engaged in heated exchanges, at one point instructing a University of Virginia-trained attorney to sit down, labeling UVA graduates as “liars” — a move she appeared to use to demonstrate the dangers of sweeping stereotypes.
Following the incident, the Department of Justice filed a misconduct complaint against Reyes.
Separately, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell — an Obama appointee — faced a recusal request from the DOJ over her alleged “hostility” toward Trump. Howell had previously blocked Trump’s attempt to oust a member of the National Labor Relations Board, warning that Trump behaved like a "dictator" or "king," a theme she has invoked repeatedly even before his second presidential campaign gained momentum.
Another striking moment came from U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett, also appointed by Obama, who during a case involving Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan gang suspects, observed that “Nazis got better treatment” during World War II.
Ilya Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, remarked that some members of the judiciary seem to view themselves as part of a “judicial resistance,” intent on halting policies they find egregious.
The Times noted that many judges have said they are facing an unprecedented wave of public hostility, much of it fueled by Trump's persistent attacks on the judiciary, labeling them as "crooked judges" and worse.
Among those targeted by Trump is Chief Judge James Boasberg, overseeing a related Alien Enemies Act case. Trump lashed out at Boasberg on Truth Social, calling him a "Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama." (X/Twitter link) — Note: no direct original X link located; verified from Truth Social reposts.
Trump’s rhetoric has found a broad audience among his supporters, many of whom amplify the message on social media. Courts have warned that these heightened tensions pose real dangers, with some individuals reportedly taking threats a step too far, according to the Times.