All Maine Federal Judges Recuse from Libby's Lawsuit Against House Speaker

In an unusual legal scenario, all federal judges in Maine have recused themselves from a lawsuit filed by Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) after Libby was censured for her social media posts about a transgender athlete. The recusal, which has been termed an 'emergency' under federal law, has resulted in the case being referred to the District of Rhode Island, although it will still be adjudicated in Maine. Libby claims her censure violates her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as it prohibits her from voting or speaking in the House unless she issues an apology, which she has refused to do. The censure followed her criticism of Maine's policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, which has drawn national attention and even comments from former President Trump. The circumstances surrounding the judges' recusal remain unclear, with no specific reasons provided. This unprecedented situation raises questions about judicial impartiality and the political implications of Libby's case.