In a rare and striking move, Judge Mark Wolf, a Reagan-appointed federal judge who has served on the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts since 1985, announced his resignation, citing what he calls the politicization and weaponization of the law under President Donald Trump.
Wolf’s resignation, confirmed by the Washington Post and Reuters, is unusual not only for its timing but for the severity of his public criticism of the current administration.
In a detailed statement, Wolf accused Trump of turning the Justice Department into a tool for partisan gain, targeting political adversaries while shielding allies and donors from scrutiny.
“I can no longer bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom,” Wolf said, condemning the dismantling of key corruption oversight bodies.
He cited the firing of 18 inspectors general, the elimination of the FBI’s public corruption unit, and the downsizing of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section from 30 lawyers to just five.
Wolf emphasized that these changes undermine the rule of law and threaten democratic norms, warning that what Nixon did covertly, Trump does openly.
The judge, who has spent 50 years in public service, stated he is resigning to speak freely, support litigation, and collaborate with others committed to protecting constitutional integrity. He closed his statement by invoking Robert F. Kennedy, saying:
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a ripple of hope. Those ripples can become a tidal wave of justice.”
In a piece for The Atlantic titled “Why I Am Resigning,” Wolf also highlighted specific allegations involving Trump, including reports that during a 2024 Mar-a-Lago dinner, oil executives allegedly offered $1 billion to Trump in exchange for reversing Biden-era environmental policies—a matter Wolf notes has not been investigated by the Department of Justice.
Legal analysts describe Wolf’s resignation as a clarion call for those committed to upholding the rule of law, noting that a lifelong Republican taking such a stand signals profound concern about the administration’s influence over justice institutions.
As the judiciary faces increased political pressure, Wolf’s departure serves as a stark reminder that defending democracy requires vigilance, even from those long considered pillars of the system.
