Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Trump administration’s controversial move to arrest a Wisconsin judge Friday, framing it as part of a broader effort to hold the judiciary accountable for obstructing immigration enforcement efforts.
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Speaking on Fox News after the FBI arrested the judge on charges of allegedly obstructing the arrest of an immigrant, Bondi doubled down on the administration’s position that some judges are abusing their authority.
“What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me,” Bondi said. “I think some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law. And they are not.”
Rather than downplay concerns about the arrest of a sitting judge, Bondi suggested that it fits within the administration’s larger grievances against what it calls “activist judges.” She emphasized that no one, including members of the judiciary, is immune from prosecution if they interfere with immigration enforcement.
When Fox News host John Roberts noted that arresting judges could be seen as an alarming expansion of executive power, Bondi responded, “No one is above the law, John. No one is above the law in this country.”
Asked by Fox host Sandra Smith what message she would send to judges who obstruct immigration policies, Bondi was even more direct: “We are going to prosecute you, and we are prosecuting you.”
Bondi’s comments reflect a pattern of rhetoric from the Trump administration that accuses the judiciary of undermining national security. Top officials have frequently labeled judges who rule against immigration crackdowns as “radical” or “rogue.” Critics argue that the administration’s stance threatens the constitutional separation of powers and could intimidate judges who rule against executive policies.
Still, Bondi made it clear that the administration is prepared for a legal and political battle, saying it would not hesitate to prosecute members of the judiciary it views as obstructing immigration enforcement.
