Wyoming
Condemn attacks on judiciary, Wyoming lawyers and judges urge delegation – WyoFile
A group of more than 100 Wyoming lawyers and retired judges this week urged the state’s congressional delegation to condemn escalating attacks on the judicial branch and its independence by President Donald Trump and his allies.
Writing in an open letter delivered Wednesday to the delegation, the legal professionals cited a chorus of criticism and threats against judges and judicial authority that’s crescendoed through the first two months of the Trump administration, as the president has sought to assert more power over the federal government while dramatically remaking federal agencies through cuts and layoffs.
Specifically, the letter cited Trump’s calls to impeach a judge he deemed a “Radical Left Lunatic,” billionaire Elon Musk’s repeated use of his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to attack court rulings he’s called “evil” and “an attempted coup,” and social media users who’ve even called for judges to be beheaded or hanged.
“The judiciary lacks the Executive’s bully pulpit or the Legislature’s power to defend itself. It does not have its own social media platform. Judges are not permitted to publicly discuss their decisions. The Judicial Branch must therefore rely on the other branches of government to respect and defend its constitutional role,” states the letter, which was addressed to Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman. “We do not see that happening.
“As our elected federal representatives— and as required by your own oaths—we thus urge you to publicly condemn these threats, affirm judicial independence, and remind Americans that appeals—not violence, intimidation, or invitations to lawlessness—are the constitutional remedy for undesired court decisions.”
Attacks on the judiciary haven’t been limited to public statements and social media posts, the signees wrote. They noted that some Republicans in the House of Representatives have filed articles of impeachment against federal judges. As of earlier this week, GOP lawmakers had pursued impeachment against six judges who’d ruled against the Trump administration in court, according to a count by Reuters.
Those and other threats, the signers went on to write, are part of an effort not to discredit judges alone, but the rule of law.
“We understand there is an appetite among sizeable members of the electorate for radical change at any cost, but the growing reckless disdain for the independence and security of our judiciary must be resisted by anyone sworn to uphold our Constitution,” the letter reads. “That includes us, and it certainly includes you. Silence in the face of such threats from those with a duty to uphold the Constitution will be properly seen as complicity.”
The letter signees include former Gov. Mike Sullivan; retired Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justices Marilyn Kite, Michael Golden, Michael Davis and E. James Burke; retired U.S. District Court Chief Judge William Downes and former Wyoming Attorneys General Gay Woodhouse and Patrick Crank.
The letter signers hope the delegation will be “allies” in upholding the constitutional structure central to the nation’s democracy, retired state district judge Tim Day told WyoFile.
“We really hope that our congressional delegation will do the same, and that they won’t sit on their hands, and they will identify these as dangerous actions and dangerous words.”
Motivations for signing
The letter is not political, and it aims to ensure the courts remain independent of political influence, Day said. Undermining the independence of the judiciary, disregarding legal decisions and not defending the separation of powers paves the way for oppression, he warned.
The U.S. Constitution anticipated such threats, he noted.
“It’s exactly the kind of thing that our founding fathers put in the first three articles of the Constitution because of what happened with the colonies with England,” Day said. “They were oppressed. So they didn’t want that to happen again.
“We’re asking our congressional delegation, two of whom are lawyers, to acknowledge that these are basic foundational tenants in our Constitution, critical to our democracy and the proper functioning of our government, with separation of powers and checks and balances.”
Sullivan, a lawyer who served two terms as Wyoming’s governor, also hopes the delegation will “recognize the need to step up and respond.” He said his decision to sign the letter reflects “a concern about the administration’s policy on the rule of law and judges and lawyers and matters associated with the rule of law, and I thought it reflected well upon the concerns, and was happy to sign it.”
After Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg for issuing an order that sought to halt deportation flights, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement. In it, Roberts stressed that two centuries of precedent have established that “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.” That proper response, he added, was the normal appellate process.
American governance, as envisioned by the country’s founders, relies on respecting the judiciary as being just as critical to a healthy democracy as the other two branches of government, explained Kite, who served on the Wyoming Supreme Court for 15 years, including four as chief justice.
If you undo the Constitution just to get things done, you no longer have a free and open democratic society, she said.
“The rule of law isn’t what you want it to be,” Kite said. “It is what is established in the laws, and the laws are interpreted by the courts, and that’s been the case for 250 years.”
When asked about his motivations for signing the letter, Kite’s former colleague on the state’s high court, Michael Golden, recalled his decades practicing law, including four years in the Judge Advocate General’s Office and another 24 on the Wyoming Supreme Court. Golden said he believed strongly in the state and federal constitutions, along with the rule of law, and was alarmed by actions now taking place in Washington.
“If we lose respect [for] our courts, if we lose sight of the rule of law and our Constitution, then that will be what destroys our country,” he told WyoFile. “And that just speaks to the very heart of what we’re concerned about.”
Retired state district judge Peter Arnold was more blunt about his motivations for speaking out — and whether it will influence Wyoming’s congressional delegation.
“I signed the letter about which you contacted me because I strongly disagree that it is proper to speak about judges the way Trump is,” he wrote in an email to WyoFile. “I am not naive, I understand the pressures faced by our legislators and doubt the letter will do much good but I would be remiss if I didn’t express my beliefs publicly to our legislators.
“In my mind, Congress has a constitutional responsibility to publicly disagree with Trump,” wrote Arnold, a Republican who served on the Laramie County GOP General Committee and who was censured by the panel for raising the same issues. “Again, it is naive for me to expect much but to do nothing is not an option.”
Congressional delegation
WyoFile emailed questions about the letter to Barrasso, Lummis and Hageman early Wednesday evening. As of publication time Thursday afternoon, none had responded.
But in previous comments, speeches and letters, the lawmakers gave some insight into their views on the recent attacks on judges.
On Feb. 10, for example, the delegation held a tele-town hall and were asked about what Republicans could do to stop Democrats and judges from blocking parts of Trump’s agenda.
Hageman, a lawyer herself, accused judges of “clearly acting politically” and suggested the administration expedite appeals or even outright ignore judges.
“When you have a judge who issues the decision saying that the Secretary of the Treasury is not allowed to access the documents of the Treasury, you’ve got a rogue judge,” Hageman said. “And I think that you may see the House moving forward with some ideas of what we’re going to do in that regard.
“One of the things that I think is going to happen, and what this administration needs to do, is really work to expedite the appeals on these absolutely outrageous decisions. It’s another form of lawfare, and it is just another example of how our system was broken with these rogue judges that have been appointed by Obama and Biden especially. They’re gonna have to go through the process. I wish I had a different answer for you.
“I will tell you one thing that I’d like to consider, if I was the Secretary of Treasury … I might just say, ‘This is my agency. My responsibility is to take care of these records. I absolutely have to have access to them,’ and dare the judge to hold him in contempt. That’s what I might consider.”
Hageman went on to say that such a step — disobeying a judge and daring them to hold a person in contempt — is not something she’d normally recommend. But she went on to suggest there were times when it would be necessary to do just that.
“And I just, I think at some point you got to tell these judges, ‘You really do not have the power that you think that you do. You want to hold me in contempt of court, have at it, baby.’”
More recently, Barrasso took aim at “activist district court judges” in a speech earlier this month from the Senate floor. He accused those judges of “protecting criminals, terrorists and corrupt bureaucrats from the accountability that voters demand.”
“Let me be clear. When partisan, unelected district court judges try to micromanage the president of the United States, it isn’t judicial review,” he said. “It isn’t checks and balances. It is purely partisan politics — and it is wrong. Radical district judges will not succeed in blocking Republicans from getting America back on track.”
Lummis has been publicly supportive of many of Trump’s efforts to downsize the federal government. On Wednesday, Trump endorsed her for reelection.
WyoFile editors Tennessee Watson and Rebecca Huntington, along with writer CJ Baker, contributed to this report.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Supreme Court has stayed the suspension of Laramie attorney Vaughn H. Neubauer from the practice of law.
That’s according to a release from the Wyoming State Bar, which states the suspension was to last 30 days.
The court ordered the stay so long as Neubauer complies with probationary terms for a period of six months — intended to assure the efficient operation of his office — as well as court rules and deadlines.
The release notes the order of suspension came from Neubauer’s lack of diligence in representing two clients.
“Neubauer failed to timely file a brief with the Wyoming Supreme Court appealing a decision of the District Court, resulting in dismissal of the appeal,” the release states. “Upon learning of the looming deadline, Neubauer requested an extension of time and reinstatement of the appeal in which Neubauer took responsibility for the failure to timely file the brief. Both requests were denied.”
Further, in a separate matter, Neubauer failed to file a petition for Post-Conviction Relief.
“Following commencement of disciplinary investigations by the Office of Bar Counsel, Neubauer admitted that the failure to file the documents violated Rule 1.3 (diligence) and caused injury to his clients,” the release states. “Neubauer agreed to reimburse the fees paid and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the clients. Neubauer agreed to the suspension and probationary terms which included the implementation of formal office policies and procedures and monthly reports to the Office of Bar Counsel regarding Neubauer’s compliance with probationary terms.”
Correction, May 29, 2025: A previous version of the story did not include the stay of suspension in the lead paragraph and headline. The story has been corrected.
Related
It is Week 9 for American Legion Baseball teams in Wyoming. This week marks the halfway point of the 2025 season. The slate features the most conference games. Only one tournament is on the docket, which will be in Riverton with their Roy Peck Wood Bat on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Outside of league games, some will take on regional foes, and a few teams will be off this weekend.
WYOPREPS AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL SCHEDULE WEEK 9 2025
Game schedules are subject to change. If you have an update or see a game missing, please let WyoPreps know. You can email david@wyopreps.com.
Final Score: Riverton Raiders 17 Green River Knights 4 (conference game) – the Raiders broke it open with 6 runs in the 3rd inning. Trujillo had a 2-run HR, and Baker hit a grand slam. Spradlin added 4 hits.
Final Score: Riverton Raiders 13 Green River Knights 3 (conference game) – 7 runs in the 7th put the cap on Riverton’s road league sweep. Spradlin, Anderson, and Heikkila drove in 2 runs each.
Final Score: Gillette Rustlers 8 Buffalo Bulls 2 (conference game) – the Rustlers jumped out to a 5-0 lead and earned the league win. Smith had 1 hit & 2 RBIs.
Final Score: Gillette Rustlers 8 Buffalo Bulls 3 (conference game) – 3 runs in the 4th and 3 more in the 5th provided the separation for the Rustlers. Reed & Poole had 1 hit & 2 RBIs apiece.
Final Score: Westco Zephyrs (Scottsbluff, NE) 5 Gillette Riders 2 – the Zephyrs scored 3 runs in the 6th to break a 2-2 tie.
Final Score: Wheatland Lobos 16 Cheyenne Eagles 11 (conference game) – after trailing 9-8, the Lobos scored the next 8 runs over 3 innings to get the league road win. Meyer had 2 hits & 4 RBIs, and Raser added 2 hits & 3 RBIs. Gamo had 1 hit & drove in 4 runs for Cheyenne.
Wheatland Lobos at Cheyenne Eagles, 7:30 p.m. (conference game)
Gillette Riders vs. USA Prime Miller 17U (Littleton, CO) – canceled
Torrington Tigers at Laramie Rangers A (conference games) – rained out; the make-up date is TBD
Gillette Riders at Cheyenne Hawks, 4 & 6 p.m. (conference games)
Utah Yaks at Evanston Outlaws, 4 & 6 p.m.
Spearfish (SD) Spartans at Gillette Rustlers, 5:30 p.m. (9-inning game)
Riverton Raiders at Lander Legends, 6 p.m. (9-inning game)
Read More Legion Baseball News from WyoPreps
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS ON 5-27-25
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 8 SCORES
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 7 SCORES
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 6 SCORES
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL SCORES WEEK 5
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL SCORES WEEK 4
Douglas Cats at Casper Drillers, 4 & 6 p.m. (conference games)
Idaho Falls (ID) Knights at Jackson Giants, 5 & 7:30 p.m.
Lovell Mustangs at Powell Pioneers, 5 & 7 p.m. (conference games)
Tournaments
Roy Peck Wood Bat Tournament in Riverton
Lander Legends vs. Lockwood (MT) Razorbacks, 4 p.m.
Laramie Rangers A at Riverton Raiders, 7 p.m.
Wheatland Lobos at Cheyenne Hawks, 10 a.m.
Sheridan Troopers at Billings (MT) Royals, noon
Wheatland Lobos vs. Torrington Tigers, noon (in Cheyenne)
Powell Pioneers at Billings (MT) Expos, 1 & 3 p.m.
Torrington Tigers at Cheyenne Hawks, 2 p.m.
Sheridan Troopers at Billings (MT) Scarlets, 2:30 p.m.
Lovell Mustangs at Buffalo Bulls, 3 & 7 p.m.
Cheyenne Sixers at Jackson Giants, 5 & 7 p.m. (conference games)
Tournaments
Roy Peck Wood Bat Tournament in Riverton
Lockwood (MT) Razorbacks at Riverton Raiders, 9 a.m.
Lockwood Razorbacks vs. Laramie Rangers A, noon
Laramie Rangers A vs. Lander Legends, 3 p.m.
Lander Legends at Riverton Raiders, 6 p.m.
Casper Oilers at Mountain View Mountain Lions (Loveland, CO), 1 & 3:30 p.m.
Sheridan Troopers vs. Idaho Falls (ID) Bandits, 12:30 p.m.
Sheridan Jets at Gillette Rustlers, 1 & 3:30 p.m. (conference games)
Cheyenne Eagles at Douglas Cats, 3 & 5:30 p.m. (conference games)
Sheridan Troopers at Billings Royals, 3 p.m.
Tournaments
Roy Peck Wood Bat Tournament in Riverton
3rd place game, 10 a.m.
Championship game, 1 p.m.
Laramie Rangers Baseball 2025
Laramie Rangers, American Legion Baseball, Baseball, Wyoming Legion Baseball
Gallery Credit: Courtesy: MaryRose Aragon
Patricia Ann “Pat” Cheney: 1939 – 2025
Patricia Ann “Pat” Cheney, 86, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at Banner Medical Center Friday May 23, 2025. Viewing and visitation will be held Bustard & Jacoby, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, Wyoming 82601, on May 28, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. On May 29, 2025, a rosary service will be held at 11:30 a.,m. and followed by funeral services at 12 p.m. with Father Clark of Our Lady of Fatima officiating at Bustard & Jacoby. Interment will follow at Freeland Cemetery. After interment a celebration of life will be held at the Cheney Ranch.
Pat was born on April 5, 1939, to Joseph Kasper and Martha Lucinda (Congelton) Kasper in Casper, Wyoming. She grew up in Casper, attending St. Anthony’s Tri-Parish Catholic School and graduating from Natrona County High School. Baptized into the Catholic faith, she was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was a member of the Natrona County Cow-Bellesand a volunteer at the Casper Elks Lodge and other Casper area Christian faith-based organizations. On January 25, 1958, Pat married William (Bill) Cheney, in Casper, Wyoming. Together, they shared an agrarian and aviation-focused lifestyle. Pat served as a mother and was a diligent ranch wife until selling the ranch to son Bob in 1987. Her and Bill moved to Paradise Valley in 1998 and continued to operate Cheney Flying Service for over 30 years until retiring. Pat was a dedicated walker and put in at least two miles a day enjoying her walks by the Platte River. Later in life Pat learned to play guitar and enjoyed jam sessions playing and singing with close family friends Erle and Charlee Barto.
She is survived by brother, John F. Kasper; son, Daniel Albert (Dan) Cheney; and granddaughter, Peggy Jean Cheney. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Cheney; son, Robert Gene (Bob) Cheney; parents, Joseph and Martha Kasper; five sisters and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Natrona County Cow-Belles. Pat’s life was a testament to faith, family, and hard work, and she will be deeply missed. Online condolences for Pat’s family may be made at www.bustardcares.com.
Mary Verdonna Kenny: 1932 – 2025
Mary “Donna” Verdonna Kenny, age 92, of Casper, Wyoming passed away November 2, 2024. She was born August 12, 1932, in Toledo, Ohio to Rollin and Mary (McGinley) Brunner.
She moved her family to Casper in the early 1960s. She worked at Wyoming Stationery and Wyoming Medical Center. She retired from the hospital in 1992.
She loved cooking for her grandson, Paul and his wife, Amber.
For the past several years she wintered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved sitting on the porch watching the neighbors come and go. She enjoyed playing Bingo but loved gambling in Laughlin and going to the swap meet on Sundays. She would get up early to accompany her daughter to the pickle ball courts. She made lots of friends in the neighborhood that truly treated her like their second mom.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Smith (Fred); daughter-in-law, Karen Didion (Jerry); as well as her grandchildren: Paul Smith (Amber), Andrew Didion, Adam Didion; great-grandchildren: Brittany Smith, Kade Henry, Shyla Hoffman, Orion Smith, and Preslee Cagle; as well as her great-great grandchildren: Damien Houser, Ariyan Agena, and Koen Cagle; sister, Judith Glass; brother, Carl Brunner; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Bob Kenny; son, Jerry C. Didion; grandson, Kris M. Smith; her parents; and eight siblings.
A celebration of life will be held at her daughter’s home on June 16, 2025 from 3 to 6. For location contact Carol 307-277-2277.
Janice Rae Lott: 1941 – 2025
Janice Rae Lott, born in Riverton, Wyoming, passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 83. Known for her resilience, sharp wit, and quiet strength, Janice built a life rooted in simple joys—gardening, bowling, camping, square dancing, playing cards, and spending time with her beloved dog, Jack.
She raised four children in Washington before moving to Casper, Wyoming in the late 1990s, where she lived alongside her son, Robert. She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found comfort in the everyday and joy in her family.
Janice is survived by her sister, Judy Johnson; her children: Robert Lott, Jo Peavler, James Lott, and Tami McKnight (Troy Marker); eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jean Ewing; and her sister, Roberta Harrington.
Please make donations to Casper Humane Society or Central Wyoming Hospice.
Roger (Rog) Lee Snell: 1944 – 2025
Roger (Rog) Lee Snell, 81, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at his home on May 22, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born on March 2, 1944, in Hanna, Wyoming, Roger was the son of Bernard (Barney) and Violet Snell. He grew up alongside his brothers and sister and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1963. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving from 1963 to 1967 during the Vietnam era aboard the USS Alamo LSD-33. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
In 1968, Roger married Sandra Ames, and together they raised two children, William and Dianna. A skilled electrician, Roger earned his Master Electrician License and went on to establish First Light Electric in 1975.
Roger had a deep love for the outdoors and spent many joyful days fishing, archery, hunting, golfing, and exploring on motorcycles and four-wheelers. He especially cherished time with friends and family at the Cream Can Feeds and in the Shirley Mountains. He was also a proud and active member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks Lodge, and the IBEW.
Roger is survived by his former wife, Sandra Trantham; his brother, Charles Snell; his children, William (Kari) and Dianna; his grandchildren: Justin, Taylor (Sierra), Gabrielle, Karissa, Zachary, Falon, Makayla, and Faith; and great-grandchildren: Atikus, Fenix, and Scarlett.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery, with burial to follow. Bustards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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