Mark Wolf

Several states have delayed their low-income home energy assistance programs, or LIHEAP, while they wait for federal funding.

Mark Wolf heads a group that represents the state agencies involved.

He says it usually takes the federal government about a month to release LIHEAP money after Congress passes a funding bill.

But that was before the Trump administration fired the staff that administer the program this spring.

The Department of Health and Human Services says it will work swiftly to administer the funds.

For NPR News, I'm Sophia Schmidt in Philadelphia.

Mark Wolf explains his decision to step down as a senior U.S.

district judge in Massachusetts.

He writes in part, quote, My reason is simple.

I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom.

President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution.

and possible punishment.

This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than 50 years in the Department of Justice and on the bench.

The White House's assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out.

Silence for me is now intolerable.