“The real problem with the academy is not disruption but discrimination,” he said. “Rampant discrimination against mainstream views held by millions of Americans but disfavored by the cultural elites who control the national discourse.”
“The intolerance we’re seeing on campus is antithetical to America, and it’s especially antithetical to the academy,” Ho continued. “They need to put an end not only to the disruption but also to the discrimination. Otherwise, I have no choice but to change how I hire.”
Ho spoke to the Washington Examiner after delivering the keynote address at the Heritage Foundation’s 16th Joseph Story Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday evening, where he challenged the lack of fortitude of federal judges, saying many suffer from “gold star syndrome” that disables their abilities to issue tough or unpopular decisions.
Too many judges, he said, are motivated by personal achievement, social climbing, and cowering to public dissent, as opposed to public service.
“If your whole life’s purpose is to wear black robes, then maybe you shouldn’t,” he said, implying “gold star” judges should resign. “No one forced you to become a judge. You agreed to become a judge. Some people even lobby and campaign for it. And you can quit anytime you want.”
“If you do the job faithfully, you should expect to be either hated or ignored,” Ho added.