{"id":2600248,"date":"2026-05-08T08:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meet-the-left-wing-activists-behind-the-guide-meant-to-advise-judges-on-climate-science\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T08:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:27:05","slug":"meet-the-left-wing-activists-behind-the-guide-meant-to-advise-judges-on-climate-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meet-the-left-wing-activists-behind-the-guide-meant-to-advise-judges-on-climate-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet The Activists Behind The &#8216;Climate&#8217; Guide Advising Judges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmeet-the-left-wing-activists-behind-the-guide-meant-to-advise-judges-on-climate-science%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2600248&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article argues that the Federal Judicial Center (FJC)-intended to provide neutral, nonpartisan education and research for the American judiciary-has been influenced by left-leaning activism, especially around climate policy and \u201cclimate science.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It says the FJC faced backlash after its *Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence* included citations to climate activists and advocates, and that the controversy prompted the FJC to retract the climate section later, with Congress signaling interest in addressing the issue further. The piece claims a deeper review shows ideological bias in the authors of a \u201cReference Guide on Climate Science\u201d and suggests their work was meant to affect how federal judges approach climate-related evidence.<\/p>\n<p>Focusing on the two credited authors-Jessica Wentz and Radley Horton-the article details their backgrounds and social-media activity, portraying them as aligned with progressive or activist causes such as climate litigation strategies, \u201cdisinformation\u201d framing, and racial justice. It also argues that their involvement in material meant to guide judges raises concerns about politicization inside supposedly neutral judicial institutions.<\/p>\n<p>the article frames the episode as evidence of growing \u201cactivist influence\u201d within federal entities, noting increased public and congressional scrutiny of the FJC and implying that meaningful corrective action might potentially be uncertain.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fjc.gov\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Federal Judicial Center (FJC)<\/a> is supposed to serve as the chief research and educational arm of the American judicial branch. While a unique taxpayer-funded agency separate from the courts, it is to have \u201cno policy-making or enforcement authority\u201d but also provide \u201caccurate, objective information and education and to encourage thorough and candid analysis of policies, practices, and procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s become clear in recent years, however, is that this ostensibly nonpartisan organization has had its fair share of indulging left-wing activism \u2014 particularly in the area of so-called \u201cclimate science.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The FJC endured heavy criticism earlier this year after it was revealed that footnotes and citations to notable left-wing climate activists and advocates were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/shocking-inappropriate-legal-experts-slam-judges-guide-over-climate-bias-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">included<\/a> in the latest edition of its <em>Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence<\/em>. The manual is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fjc.gov\/content\/396456\/reference-manual-scientific-evidence-fourth-edition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">designed<\/a> to guide and inform federal judges in their assessment of science-related matters in cases that come before the bench.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/bench-memos\/a-congressional-shot-across-the-bow-of-the-fjc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Backlash<\/a> to the \u201cReference Guide on Climate Science\u201d ultimately prompted the FJC to retract the section, with Congress also signaling its willingness to tackle the issue. But the story doesn\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n<p>A deep dive into the situation reveals the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ship-drifting-further-from-shore-ag-association-fails-to-quell-concerns-over-left-wing-partisanship\/\" title=\"\u2018Ship Drifting Further From Shore\u2019: AG Association Fails to Quell Concerns Over Left-Wing Partisanship\">left-wing partisanship<\/a> of the climate guide\u2019s authors and how these actors\u2019 work sought to influence the operations of a key branch of government.<\/p>\n<h2>Meet the Authors: Jessica Wentz<\/h2>\n<p>According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine \u2014 which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/bench-memos\/a-congressional-shot-across-the-bow-of-the-fjc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">co-authored<\/a> the <em>Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence<\/em> alongside the FJC and still posts the manual\u2019s climate section on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/read\/26919\/chapter\/1#iv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a> \u2014 the \u201cReference Guide on Climate Science\u201d was authored by Jessica Wentz and Radley Horton. Wentz <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/read\/26919\/chapter\/21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">serves<\/a> as a non<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/derrick-hollie-bidens-spec-employees-make-sure-your-energy-costs-remain-high\/\" title=\"Derrick Hollie: Biden\u2019s SPEC Employees Make Sure Your Energy Costs Remain High\">-resident senior fellow<\/a> at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, while Horton is a professor at Columbia University\u2019s Climate School. <\/p>\n<p>While Judicial Crisis Network President Carrie Severino <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/bench-memos\/climate-activists-take-over-the-federal-judicial-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">previously detailed<\/a> Wentz\u2019s past role as a \u201cclimate activist\u201d involved in \u201cenvironmental litigation\u201d favoring left-wing climate policies, a closer look at the Columbia senior fellow\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jess_wentz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X feed<\/a> shows just how far-reaching her beliefs are.<\/p>\n<p>Wentz posted a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jess_wentz\/status\/1598455908790853632?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tweet<\/a> on Dec. 1, 2022, seemingly suggesting that disagreement with the left\u2019s climate agenda is equivalent to \u201cdisinformation,\u201d a term leftists use to silence debate and \u2014 in the case of the Biden administration \u2014 use as a pretext to <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/disinformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">censor<\/a> dissenting voices. <\/p>\n<p>In the post, Wentz expressed excitement about collaborating with an Oxford professor on a project \u201cexamining how plaintiffs can establish a causal link\u201d between so-called \u201cdisinformation\u201d and climate-related \u201cdamages\u201d in their lawsuits against fossil fuel companies. The \u201cfocus\u201d of this project, she noted, \u201cis on climate #disinformation, but our analysis is relevant to cases involving other public deception schemes as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wentz separately reposted a September 2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/drdavidmichaels\/status\/1573302434155614210?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tweet<\/a> from an Obama-era OSHA official, who highlighted an upcoming event listing Wentz as a participant. Titled \u201cAccountability for the Deception Industry,\u201d the attached flyer for the forum promised attendees a \u201cpublic conversation with researchers, legal scholars, and social scientists on the future of accountability for the industry of deception.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow can corporate purveyors of disinformation and deception on climate change and toxic chemicals be held accountable for the disastrous impact of their lies?\u201d the former Obama official wrote.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Wentz\u2019s apparent infatuation with pushing back on what she believes to be \u201cdisinformation\u201d is not limited to environmental issues, however. <\/p>\n<p>The Columbia senior fellow notably retweeted a December 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NaomiOreskes\/status\/1467947599869235202?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> that included a <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.md\/8f6mp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nature article<\/a> and a quote from former National Institutes of Health Director <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/francis-collins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Francis<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/dr-francis-collins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">  Collins<\/a>, who played a major role spreading <em>actual<\/em> disinformation during the Covid outbreak. In the post, the user cited remarks Collins gave to Nature, in which he said, \u201cI wish we had more insights from behavioural social science research into how this has come to pass, and why [disinformation] could have gotten so completely widespread.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of us have been begging scientists to pay attention to this for years,\u201d the user wrote in the post retweeted by Wentz. <\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Wentz has also not been shy about sharing her disdain for President Donald Trump. <\/p>\n<p>The climate \u201cexpert\u201d retweeted a January 2022 post accusing Trump of doing \u201cdamage to science.\u201d More notably, she reposted a June 1, 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mrbenwexler\/status\/1267593286463582208?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tweet<\/a> by TV writer Ben Wexler that compared the Republican president to Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLeaders who have hidden in a bunker and gassed their own citizens include Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump,\u201d Wexler wrote, seemingly pushing the <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2020\/06\/02\/media-falsely-claimed-violent-riots-were-peaceful-and-that-tear-gas-was-used-against-rioters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debunked<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2020\/06\/03\/after-falsely-claiming-tear-gas-use-media-now-trying-to-pretend-tear-gas-and-pepper-spray-are-identical\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lie<\/a> that Trump had tear gas used against peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrators to clear an area for a photo op. <\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Wentz separately <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jess_wentz\/status\/1619059085843828743?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">signaled agreement<\/a> with a different user\u2019s post in January 2023, in which the individual lamented \u201chow deep misogyny runs in our culture and how much crap the most amazing and talented people have to deal with just because they have a uterus.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Meet the Authors: Radley Horton<\/h2>\n<p>Much like his climate guide co-author, Radley Horton\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/radleyhorton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X feed<\/a> discloses his apparent affinity for left-wing environmental policy and alarmism. <\/p>\n<p>The Columbia professor retweeted a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LehmanCollege\/status\/1370441059583602690?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> by Lehman College that touted a March 2021 \u201cBronx Environmental Summit,\u201d in which he was listed as a keynote speaker. The university suggested that speakers would address the question: \u201cHow do we move from #EnvironmentalJustice to #EnvironmentalEquity in the Bronx+beyond?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTogether, we\u2019ll explore how climate policies and initiatives aimed at addressing the world\u2019s most pervasive environmental and public health crises can be shaped to bring environmental equity to the Bronx and beyond,\u201d a <a href=\"https:\/\/myemail.constantcontact.com\/Register-for-Lehman-College-s-Inaugural-Bronx-Environmental-Summit.html?soid=1132155929002&#038;aid=feudIXNsnrg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">registration page<\/a> for the event reads.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<p>Horton has also reposted various tweets centered around the use of the legal system to tackle perceived climate issues. That detail is notable given that Horton co-authored part of the FJC manual intended to advise federal judges on \u201cclimate science.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Horton retweeted a June 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PaulEDawson\/status\/1134865439643668482?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> in which the user quoted from a linked Forbes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/niallmccarthy\/2019\/03\/25\/oil-and-gas-giants-spend-millions-lobbying-to-block-climate-change-policies-infographic\/#a00446c7c4fb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">article<\/a> titled \u201cOil And Gas Giants Spend Millions Lobbying To Block Climate Change Policies [Infographic].\u201d While quoting from the piece about oil and gas companies\u2019 lobbying efforts, the user wrote, \u201cThis is about the people vs. the elites.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Horton subsequently reposted a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FrediOtto\/status\/1153771063819423744?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">similar tweet<\/a> the following month, which touted how \u201cLawyers &#038; scientists [are] working increasingly together on how science &#038; law can be used to speed up climate action.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Columbia professor has also used his social media presence to elevate the left\u2019s so-called \u201cracial justice\u201d agenda. <\/p>\n<p>He retweeted a June 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ccivanovich\/status\/1270495893079289856?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> hyping a strike-type event at Columbia, in which attendees would \u201cdiscuss actionable plans to help combat structural racism and anti-Blackness in the academic community.\u201d The tweet included a poster of BLM demonstrators and language such as \u201cBlack Lives Matter\u201d and \u201c#ShutDownSTEM.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Horton reposted a separate June 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PdeMenocal\/status\/1267474793839935493?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tweet<\/a> touting an <a href=\"https:\/\/ideas.ted.com\/how-you-can-be-an-ally-in-the-fight-for-racial-justice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">article<\/a> titled \u201cHow you can be an ally in the fight for racial justice,\u201d in which the author tells white people to \u201cown your privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Columbia professor notably <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/coralsncaves\/status\/1154407156600508421?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">signed onto<\/a> a letter alongside other \u201cclimate scientists\u201d urging the Democratic National Committee to host a \u201cformal Climate Debate\u201d for the party\u2019s 2020 presidential candidates to \u201ceducate the public about a crisis that is rapidly becoming the defining challenge of the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>The Climate Crowd\u2019s Growing Influence<\/h2>\n<p>This snapshot into Wentz and Horton\u2019s respective backgrounds raises alarm bells about how the left has infiltrated supposedly nonpartisan entities like the Federal Judicial Center. What were intended to be neutral federal agencies have slowly been hijacked by activists seeking to advance a leftist worldview \u2014 one which is now intruding its way into America\u2019s federal court system. <\/p>\n<p>Increased <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/bench-memos\/climate-activists-take-over-the-federal-judicial-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public scrutiny<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/judiciary.house.gov\/media\/in-the-news\/house-gop-launches-probe-alleged-climate-group-influence-federal-judges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">greater congressional oversight<\/a> of the FJC and its activities have clearly elevated these major problems into the national spotlight. Whether any meaningful action will be taken to ensure they\u2019re addressed, however, remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<div lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>The backlash was so fierce that the FJC was forced to pull the entire climate chapter, but only after it had already been distributed to thousands of judges.<\/p>\n<p>Let that sink in. They laundered Greta Thunberg talking points into the official judicial reference manual. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hBDZKyCIiJ\">pic.twitter.com\/hBDZKyCIiJ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2014 Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenEricSchmitt\/status\/2042306575872807282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FJC is meant to be impartial, offering objective judicial education-but critics say its climate work reflects left-wing activism<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2600249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Judiciary.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[14436,46838,58572,79312,4151],"class_list":["post-2600248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-activism","tag-climate-policy","tag-environmental-advocacy","tag-guidebook","tag-judiciary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Judiciary.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600248"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2600253,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600248\/revisions\/2600253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}