A day after Federal Appeals Court Judge James A. Wynn notified the White House that he had rescinded his plans to retire, U.S. Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina blasted the move as “brazenly partisan.” The decision would deny President-elect Donald Trump an opportunity to fill the seat.
Wynn, 70, served on the Fourth Circuit Court and was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. He had previously attended a retirement celebration before changing his mind. Tillis accused Wynn of trying to turn the judicial retirement system into a “partisan game” and called for Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.
This move comes amid controversy over the use of the federal judiciary as a means of exerting political influence. Similar allegations were raised during the nomination process for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland in 2016, which sparked accusations of partisan brinksmanship.
Wynn’s reversal has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, with some accusing him of trying to block Trump’s ability to fill the seat. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches over the use of the judiciary as a tool for political leverage.
Source: https://qcitymetro.com/2024/12/14/federal-appeals-court-judge-rescinds-retirement