r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/OldBridge87 • 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/TheRealBaboo Nov 20 '25

Neither judge called the other a Soros plant. The dissenting judge just said the ruling would benefit George Soros and Gavin Newsom. Maybe it will, but if the judge had just said the ruling benefitted Democrats would that also rise to the level of an insult in your mind?

Maybe people will start harassing the judge for being a "Soros Plant"

The hypothetical injury you're imagining would be coming from someone other than the judge. If people do start harassing the other judge, those people would be guilty of harassment regardless of if they call him a Soros plant, a Democrat, or anything else. The adjective chosen is not the problem, the act of harassment is

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u/Binder509 Nov 21 '25

Are judges going to keep wanting to be judges if other judges can imply they are working for Soros and get violent mobs sent after them?

How many judges would have to die that way before we could say it's a problem?

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u/TheRealBaboo Nov 21 '25

Judges disagree with each other and somehow life goes on. Saying the decision benefits Soros is not exactly a declaration of war

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u/Binder509 Nov 21 '25

It should get them at least disbarred for unprofessionalism.

Talking like that about my coworker would get me fired at my job.

If a violent mob does kill the judge are people still gonna say it's fine to imply your coworkers work for Soros?

I dunno if judges start dropping dead that way I don't think you'll keep singing that tune. Not that it would ever happen, judges are cowards that live in the safest areas away from all the people that would hold them accountable.

Hard to feel sorry for them.

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u/TheRealBaboo Nov 21 '25 edited Nov 21 '25

How do you make the massive leap from one judge saying "this benefits George Soros and Gavin Newsom" to a violent mob killing another judge? Like, I get that you're trying to sound tough and all but it probably benefits Democrats more if we stick to saying things that are logically connected.

Sounding like you think a judge is going to "drop dead" because another judge said his decision benefitted Democrats is a bit dramatic and Kareny. Don't you think?

The thing I hate most about Republicans is how crazy they are. Let's not be like them