“The random case-assignment policy deters judge-shopping and the assignment of cases based on the perceived merits or abilities of a particular judge,” Judicial Conference secretary and District Court Judge Robert Conrad added in a statement announcing the change. “It promotes the impartiality of proceedings and bolsters public confidence in the federal Judiciary.”
The issue has drawn particular attention in Texas, where the state’s attorney general’s office and conservative activists have filed dozens of cases challenging Biden administration policies in divisions with few — or even just one — judge. One particular favorite of conservatives has been Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who sits in Amarillo, is the only judge in that division and was appointed by President Donald Trump.
Read more at Politico.