US judiciary launches task force on security, independence after Trump criticism

(Reuters) -The U.S. federal judiciary on Wednesday launched a task force focused on ensuring the continued security and independence of the courts as Republican President Donald Trump and his allies ramp up their criticism of judges who block his agenda.

The Judicial Security and Independence Task Force's launch was detailed in a memo that was reviewed by Reuters that was issued following calls by Republican lawmakers to limit the reach of judges' rulings, reduce the judiciary's funding or impeach judges who have ruled against Trump's administration.

Judge Robert Conrad, the director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, did not mention Trump in the memo sent to judges and court officials nationally.

He said the task force would be chaired by Baltimore-based U.S. District Judge James Bredar and would "identify, analyze, and propose responses to ensure the continued security and independence of courts and judges."

"Through its efforts, it is hoped that the security of individual judges will be enhanced and that judicial independence will be assured," Conrad wrote.

Bredar, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, is himself among the numerous judges hearing the 130-plus lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's actions.

Earlier this month in a lawsuit brought by 19 states under Democratic leadership and Washington, D.C., Bredar ordered the administration to reinstate 25,000 workers at 18 agencies who lost their jobs during Trump's purge of the federal workforce.

During a Wednesday hearing, Bredar said he could narrow his ruling, citing a "great reluctance to issue a national injunction."

Bredar did not respond to a request for comment. The Administrative Office declined to comment.

The task force's members include U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Sullivan, who chairs the judiciary's security committee, and U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington.

Bates, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, is among six judges who have issued rulings against the administration. The judges are now facing impeachment resolutions filed by Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trump himself last week called for impeaching one of them, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington, who blocked him from using wartime powers to deport Venezuelan migrants.

That prompted a rare rebuke from Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, who said in a statement "impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," which can be appealed.

The events have helped fuel concerns about the security of judges.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday warned that Congress' power over the judiciary covered its funding and included the authority to eliminate entire district courts.

The Republican-led House is expected to soon take up a bill that recently advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee that would prevent district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions blocking policies.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)