Newly released court records reveal misconduct inquiry into federal judge

"My reason is simple: I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom. The White House's assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out. Well, I'm worried in part because I think all of the abuse that's been showered on the courts and the judges is causing people to lose confidence in the integrity and the impartiality of the judicial process."

"In an order dated Nov. 24, 2025, U.S. Appeals Court Judge David Barron wrote he conducted a "limited inquiry" into misconduct allegations, including interviews with the judge in question and the judge's former law clerk. The inquiry ended when the judge retired. The order did not provide details about the alleged misconduct but stated it could include "treating litigants, attorneys, judicial employees or others in a demonstrably egregious and hostile manner" or creating a hostile workplace for court employees."

"Judge Barron ultimately concluded that further action was unnecessary because of "intervening events." A source familiar with the inquiry, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive internal investigation, said the judge in question is Wolf and his resignation terminated the review of his conduct."

Mark Wolf, 79, retired from the federal district court in Massachusetts in November 2025 after more than 40 years of service. Wolf publicly tied his departure to concerns about actions by President Trump and loss of public confidence in the judiciary. Newly published orders show U.S. Appeals Court Judge David Barron conducted a limited inquiry into misconduct allegations that included interviews with the judge and a former law clerk. The inquiry ended when the judge retired. The order said alleged misconduct could include demonstrably egregious and hostile treatment or creating a hostile workplace for court employees.

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