Texas justice complains that 'brainwashed' GOP colleagues from BigLaw 'bow down to the altar of process'
“At times, I feel like they would sacrifice the Republic for the sake of the process,” said Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine. (Photo from the Texas Judicial Branch)
Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine complained in a September speech to voters that his colleagues from BigLaw worry too much about “standing, timeliness or whatever else,” according to a recording of his remarks obtained by the Texas Tribune.
“At times, I feel like they would sacrifice the Republic for the sake of the process,” Devine said. “My concern is that they all bow down to the altar of process, rather than to fidelity to the Constitution. And when I say that, it’s not meant to be malice towards my colleagues. I think it’s how they were trained—how they were brainwashed.”
The Texas Supreme Court is entirely made up of Republican justices. Devine is the only justice facing a challenger in the March 5 primary election.
Above the Law noted the Texas Tribune story on Devine’s remarks.
The Texas Tribune described Devine as “a stalwart of the religious right” who says he was arrested 37 times at anti-abortion protests and claims that the separation of church and state is a “myth.”
During his remarks, Devine also complained that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is controlled by “RINOs” and “trans-Republicans,” according to the Texas Tribune.
Devine’s challenger, Second District Court of Appeals Judge Brian Walker, is attacking Devine for missing 28 out of 50 oral arguments this term.
Devine told Bloomberg Law in a prior article that he missed court appearances because he was busy campaigning and raising money for his reelection. Devine said he reviews video of the missed arguments and reads briefs in the cases.
