The silence surrounding the removals is just as revealing as the act itself. No debate, no accountability, no explanation that could be challenged or appealed. Silence becomes a tool, allowing power to operate without scrutiny. In that quiet, the boundaries of justice shift almost imperceptibly, until what once seemed unthinkable begins to feel normal.
The judges chosen to replace them reveal the next phase of the design. The bench is increasingly filled with former prosecutors and military lawyers—professionals trained in adversarial roles, where winning and enforcement are central. Now they are asked to appear neutral arbiters, even as they operate within an environment shaped by political expectations and performance metrics. Some will resist that pressure, holding fast to impartiality. Many will adapt, consciously or unconsciously, to the signals being sent from above.
