When Silence Becomes Intolerable -- Tom Sullivan

[erronis]

https://digbysblog.net/2025/11/09/when-silence-becomes-intolerable/

A Reagan judge joins the resistance

(Clipping very good first part of Tom's post to highlight this: )

Further evidence that the resistance to Trumpism is growing comes from a retired senior United States district judge in Massachusetts. Reagan-appointed Mark Wolf explains he is leaving “that lifetime appointment and giving up the opportunity for public service that I have loved” (The Atlantic, gift link):

My reason is simple: I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom. President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment. This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than 50 years in the Department of Justice and on the bench. The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out. Silence, for me, is now intolerable.

Wolf lays out some personal history in the job as well as Trumpish sins against the rule of law that will be familiar to Hullabaloo readers. He then summarizes his plans for the near future:

Others who have held positions of authority, including former federal judges and ambassadors, have been opposing this government’s efforts to undermine the principled, impartial administration of justice and distort the free and fair functioning of American democracy. They have urged me to work with them. As much as I have treasured being a judge, I can now think of nothing more important than joining them, and doing everything in my power to combat today’s existential threat to democracy and the rule of law.

Will he make a difference? He’s unsure, but has to try:

I cannot be confident that I will make a difference. I am reminded, however, of what Senator Robert F. Kennedy said in 1966 about ending apartheid in South Africa: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” Enough of these ripples can become a tidal wave.

Start splashing every chance you get.