Justice Department Directs Prosecutors to Report Judicial Hurdles

Leaders within the Justice Department have instructed federal prosecutors to submit examples by the end of the week detailing the challenges they’ve faced with judges in cases related to law enforcement attacks and incidents involving Antifa.

A memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office—shared with select U.S. attorneys—requested “two to three examples of unusual judicial system obstacles” encountered in specific regions during courtroom proceedings. This information was initially reported by Reuters.

Areas of concern identified in the memo include assaults on law enforcement, interference with immigration authorities, and investigations into particular “domestic terrorist organizations like Antifa.” Additionally, issues related to “state-to-state intimidation, identity theft, and disinformation” were mentioned.

The memo specifies that any judicial obstruction must occur while a prosecutor is actively pursuing an indictment or other legal action.

This directive reflects the ongoing trend of prosecutors targeting law enforcement matters. Some prominent cases have led to convictions, while the Trump administration continues to grapple with numerous lawsuits and adverse rulings in various lower courts.

This move also follows Blanche’s comments at a recent Federalist Society convention, where he criticized “rogue activist judges” and described a “declaration of war” against them.

A statement from a Justice Department spokesperson asserted that “judicial activists, liberals in uniform” are unfairly interfering with the administration’s efforts, sometimes undermining the Supreme Court’s authority.

“Courts exist to apply the law, not to devise policy from the bench,” the spokesperson remarked, emphasizing the department’s commitment to enhancing litigation readiness to defend public safety initiatives and prevent proactive judges from undermining the rule of law.

Prosecutors are reportedly facing challenges in various areas, including immigration, federal appointments, and certain government policies. In rare instances, the government has sought temporary relief from the Supreme Court in critical cases, generally emerging victorious.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department lodged separate misconduct complaints against two Washington, D.C. judges—James Boasberg and Ana Reyes—who were appointed by Obama and Biden, respectively.

In a notable development, Judge Mark Wolf, 78, who was appointed by President Reagan, recently announced his retirement. He cited a desire to speak against President Trump’s “assault on the rule of law,” expressing intentions to advocate for judges who feel unable to voice their concerns publicly.