Federal Judges Take a Stand Against Attacks on Judiciary at Speak Up for Justice Forum
In a historic move, federal judges are breaking their silence on increasingly volatile threats facing the judiciary. Traditionally, judges have refrained from public discussion, choosing instead to convey their views through written opinions. However, the recent rise in hostility towards judges has compelled them to speak out.
Chief Justice John Roberts set the tone for this unprecedented shift during a recent statement, emphasizing that the targeted aggression against judges has reached an alarming threshold. He stated, "Personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it's got to stop." This statement comes at a crucial time when federal judges across the United States have faced a surge of threats ranging from intimidation to personal attacks directly linked to their rulings.
In response to these challenges, the Committee on Codes of Conduct issued Advisory Opinion 118 on February 12. This document explicitly grants judges the latitude to speak out when attacks on the judiciary escalate. In light of this new guidance, many judges are opting to take a stand—and they will do just that at the upcoming Speak Up for Justice forum.
Scheduled for March 19, this virtual forum will feature active federal judges who have personally experienced these frightening attacks. The forum, titled "The Bench Breaks Its Silence: Sitting Judges Stand Up and Speak Out About Attacks on the Judiciary," enables these judges to share their harrowing experiences and express their concerns about the current state of judicial independence.
The event will be hosted online, allowing for broader public access. Featured speakers include several notable judges: Ana Reyes from the District of Columbia, Mark S. Norris from Tennessee, and Michelle Williams Court from California, among others. Each judge brings their unique story that underscores the urgent need for the judiciary's protection against political interference and harassment.
The stories shared are not merely abstract concepts; they are harrowing accounts of judges who have faced death threats, intimidation, and overt hostility. One judge received death threats targeted at her personal chambers following a notable ruling. In a dramatic moment, she read the threats aloud in court, yet the response from the Justice Department was not to investigate the threats but rather to file a misconduct complaint against her.
Another judge experienced life-threatening intimidation while presiding over a case. During a sentencing, a defendant turned and ominously stated, "You're gonna die too, judge." This escalated when a law clerk associated with the case was shot, narrowly escaping death. Such scenarios illustrate a dangerous trend—judges facing personal risk because they are simply doing their jobs.
These alarming incidents highlight the growing climate of intimidation within the judiciary. Judges are not only facing impeachment threats but also experiencing misconduct complaints filed against them by figures in authority, harassment from the public, and more drastic acts including doxxing and swatting. Until recently, the long-standing protocol of silence kept the judiciary from responding robustly to these threats. That's changed with Advisory Opinion 118, which empowers judges to speak out without fear of repercussions.
Paul Kiesel, the founder of Speak Up for Justice, articulated the importance of this forum, stating that the rule of law is endangered when judges are silenced or intimidated. The forum provides a rare opportunity for the public to hear directly from judges on the frontlines of these pressures.
Furthermore, the event is free and open to anyone wishing to participate, creating a transparent dialogue on judicial independence and the threats it faces. The Speak Up for Justice movement, founded by Kiesel and supported by a nonpartisan coalition of legal professionals, aims to restore the public's confidence in the judiciary amidst these trying times.
In summarizing the initiative, Kiesel emphasized the perilous trajectory of judicial independence and accountability: "When the third branch of government is intimidated or silenced, the rule of law is at risk."
In today's climate of unprecedented threats against those who uphold the law, the Speak Up for Justice forum signifies not just a call for action but a vital moment for safeguarding democratic principles. As this forum approaches, all eyes will be on these judges as they find their voices in defense of the rule of law.
The virtual event will begin at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET, and the livestream can be found at www.youtube.com/live/O-tXbsx_CjE. For anyone concerned about the integrity of the judiciary, this is an essential moment to engage and listen. The conversation on judicial safety and independence is more relevant now than ever.
Chief Justice John Roberts set the tone for this unprecedented shift during a recent statement, emphasizing that the targeted aggression against judges has reached an alarming threshold. He stated, "Personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it's got to stop." This statement comes at a crucial time when federal judges across the United States have faced a surge of threats ranging from intimidation to personal attacks directly linked to their rulings.
In response to these challenges, the Committee on Codes of Conduct issued Advisory Opinion 118 on February 12. This document explicitly grants judges the latitude to speak out when attacks on the judiciary escalate. In light of this new guidance, many judges are opting to take a stand—and they will do just that at the upcoming Speak Up for Justice forum.
Scheduled for March 19, this virtual forum will feature active federal judges who have personally experienced these frightening attacks. The forum, titled "The Bench Breaks Its Silence: Sitting Judges Stand Up and Speak Out About Attacks on the Judiciary," enables these judges to share their harrowing experiences and express their concerns about the current state of judicial independence.
The event will be hosted online, allowing for broader public access. Featured speakers include several notable judges: Ana Reyes from the District of Columbia, Mark S. Norris from Tennessee, and Michelle Williams Court from California, among others. Each judge brings their unique story that underscores the urgent need for the judiciary's protection against political interference and harassment.
The stories shared are not merely abstract concepts; they are harrowing accounts of judges who have faced death threats, intimidation, and overt hostility. One judge received death threats targeted at her personal chambers following a notable ruling. In a dramatic moment, she read the threats aloud in court, yet the response from the Justice Department was not to investigate the threats but rather to file a misconduct complaint against her.
Another judge experienced life-threatening intimidation while presiding over a case. During a sentencing, a defendant turned and ominously stated, "You're gonna die too, judge." This escalated when a law clerk associated with the case was shot, narrowly escaping death. Such scenarios illustrate a dangerous trend—judges facing personal risk because they are simply doing their jobs.
These alarming incidents highlight the growing climate of intimidation within the judiciary. Judges are not only facing impeachment threats but also experiencing misconduct complaints filed against them by figures in authority, harassment from the public, and more drastic acts including doxxing and swatting. Until recently, the long-standing protocol of silence kept the judiciary from responding robustly to these threats. That's changed with Advisory Opinion 118, which empowers judges to speak out without fear of repercussions.
Paul Kiesel, the founder of Speak Up for Justice, articulated the importance of this forum, stating that the rule of law is endangered when judges are silenced or intimidated. The forum provides a rare opportunity for the public to hear directly from judges on the frontlines of these pressures.
Furthermore, the event is free and open to anyone wishing to participate, creating a transparent dialogue on judicial independence and the threats it faces. The Speak Up for Justice movement, founded by Kiesel and supported by a nonpartisan coalition of legal professionals, aims to restore the public's confidence in the judiciary amidst these trying times.
In summarizing the initiative, Kiesel emphasized the perilous trajectory of judicial independence and accountability: "When the third branch of government is intimidated or silenced, the rule of law is at risk."
In today's climate of unprecedented threats against those who uphold the law, the Speak Up for Justice forum signifies not just a call for action but a vital moment for safeguarding democratic principles. As this forum approaches, all eyes will be on these judges as they find their voices in defense of the rule of law.
The virtual event will begin at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET, and the livestream can be found at www.youtube.com/live/O-tXbsx_CjE. For anyone concerned about the integrity of the judiciary, this is an essential moment to engage and listen. The conversation on judicial safety and independence is more relevant now than ever.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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