CHEYENNE—On the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Wyoming Chief Justice Lynne Boomgaarden asked lawmakers to “listen with open minds, honor the distinct roles of each branch, debate vigorously, yet respectfully, recognize that the people bring cases, issues and evidence to the courts. Judges do not choose them.”
Her words came about a month after the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down two statewide abortion bans, ruling that they are unconstitutional. The high court came under heat for the decision. Hard-line Republican lawmakers with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, for instance, called the justices “weak judges” and “woke attorneys,” accusing the court of making an “engineered” decision.
Boomgaarden underscored in her speech the challenge of weighing in on controversial laws. “Understand that judicial decisions are not political statements,” she said. “Avoid demonizing judges for unpopular rulings.”
It appears that plea went unheeded by some lawmakers. On Saturday, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, proposed deleting about $3.6 million in additional court security funding — an earmark that the Joint Appropriations Committee had recommended — from the state’s next two-year budget. The money would pay for security improvements at courthouses across the state.
Citing a letter from the judicial branch asking for the funding, Rodriguez-Williams, who chairs the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, put a question to her colleagues: “If this branch of government has a vested interest in protecting your life, why does it suddenly lose that interest when the life in question comes to the unborn?” she asked.
Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie, interjected with a point of order. “This is an attempt to use an unpopular decision as an excuse to punish the court,” he said. “That’s what I’m hearing. I think that is inappropriate.”
Freedom Caucus member and Speaker Pro Tempore Jeremy Haroldson, who was managing the body’s debate, allowed Rodriguez-Williams to go on.
“A just society protects the most vulnerable first,” Rodriguez-Williams continued. “If the state government exists to protect life, as is stated in this letter from the Wyoming judicial branch to the legislative branch of government, then that principle must apply consistently, not selectively.”
The House ultimately struck down the proposed change in a 48-12 vote. No lawmakers spoke in favor of Rodriguez-Williams’ amendment. Rep. Ken Pendergraft, a Sheridan Republican and Wyoming Freedom Caucus member, even spoke against the budget change, describing the “many entrances and exits that are not easily protected” at his county courthouse. “As much as I understand and respect the heart of the bringer, I’m going to be a no on this one,” he said.
Several lawmakers pointed out that courthouse security protects everyone in those buildings. “I understand the philosophical argument,” Rep. Art Washut, R-Casper, said. “But in a very practical sense, these funds are being utilized to make our courthouses safer, and not just safer for judges, but safer for the litigants and other people who utilize our courthouses.”
Others also expressed their disappointment with the high court’s decision while urging their colleagues to vote against the amendment.
“Was I disappointed in the court’s ruling? Absolutely. We have a process, though, that we go through to respond to that, and we’re going through it,” Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, said.
“I’m pro-life in every area of my life. I really am. So I can’t quite compute this as a reasonable and rational response.”
Rodriguez-Williams, who sponsored one of the abortion bans that the high court struck down, stood by her amendment. “If life is sacred enough to guard with security details and improve security equipment, is it sacred enough to guard in the womb? I urge an aye.”
It’s no surprise that some lawmakers are putting pressure on Wyoming’s judicial branch this session. Shortly after the Wyoming Supreme Court’s abortion decision last month, lawmakers held a closed-door meeting to discuss cutting the court’s bench from five to three justices. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus also named “judicial transparency” as one of its priorities for the 2026 legislative session, describing Wyoming’s judicial branch as “unchecked and out of control.”
Another stunt and a legislative waste of time by one of those unFreedumb Carcass losers. Hey Cody, Park County, Big Horn Basin, when are you going to select a winner for House Dist. 50? Get rid of this one come 2026 primary and select someone who’ll truly represent you, not some dark money whacko chemtrail conspiracy group cult member
This is sicko behavior