Any gift acceptance exposes judges to unnecessary conflicts and justified criticism at a time when the branch can ill afford either. And 407 gifts over two years is way too much.
The case — which, incredibly, has ties to “The Wire,” Trump v. U.S. and Roundup weedkiller — involves shady “high-low” agreements on appeal used by attorneys of corrupt Baltimore cops to avoid paying out more in damages.
Today's meeting of the Judicial Conference could not be coming at a more perilous time for the judiciary. Concerns about political violence are on the rise in light of the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk, and the judiciary, like many other departments, is worried about being able to maintain its work protecting personnel as the threat of a government shutdown looms.