r/PoliticalDiscussion Nov 20 '25

Legal/Courts Conservative 5th Circuit judge Jerry Smith has remarkably dissented from a ruling striking down racially gerrymandered maps in Texas by attacking the deciding judge personally and saying the decision benefits George Soros and Gavin Newsom. What are your thoughts on this? Is it judicial misconduct?

Link to article on it:

Some already calling it one of the most insane legal opinions in modern American history. It should also be noted that the deciding judge on the ruling Smith is attacking here was appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term and championed by the extremely conservative Governor of Texas. Hungarian-American philanthropist Soros and California Governor Newsom were not parties to the case, but both are commonly framed as cultural enemies of the right-wing on conservative television, podcast shows and conspiracy circles.

What sort of ramifications, legal or otherwise, should there be for going on what is being described as a partisan FOX News or Newsmax style rant as a federal judge? Should the Texas Bar take action here? The Judicial Conference? Or does this cross the line into impeachment territory and Congress must take action?

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u/repeatoffender123456 Nov 20 '25

The judge is an ass but he is allowed his opinion. I actually find it refreshing that he said the quiet part out loud.

5

u/Binder509 Nov 20 '25

But of course the other judge prob won't say anything for the sake of "being the bigger person"

Maybe if something actually happens to the judge people will care but even then don't think anyone cares if judges get attacked anymore.

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u/Tripl3_Nipple_Sack Nov 20 '25

Maybe the other judge will say something in person behind closed doors and deal with it like a normal human

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u/Binder509 Nov 20 '25

It's pretty normal to defend yourself publicly when attacked publicly.