May 5, 2025 Story by: Editor
At a judicial conference in San Juan last Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a pointed rebuke of rhetoric from the former Trump White House, warning that it is “designed to intimidate the judiciary” and undermine the rule of law.
Speaking before an audience of federal and state judges, Jackson alluded to “the elephant in the room” — the torrent of public attacks on the courts sanctioned by the highest levels of government. She noted that judges across the country are now facing an uptick in threats, both physical and professional, simply for adjudicating cases fairly and impartially.
“Across the nation, judges are facing increased threats of not only physical violence, but also professional retaliation just for doing our jobs,” Jackson said, adding that these assaults on the judiciary do not occur at random but “seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity.”
Her remarks mark the most direct public criticism of the Trump administration by a sitting Supreme Court justice since Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked efforts to impeach a sitting federal judge earlier this year. Jackson did not name Donald Trump explicitly, but her condemnation follows months of Trump’s attacks on judges who have ruled against his policies, from immigration to presidential records cases.
Jackson also highlighted instances where the administration has resisted or openly disparaged judicial orders—citing delays in complying with rulings on foreign aid, federal spending, and the legality of personnel actions—as part of a broader pattern of undermining judicial authority.
She referenced high‑profile cases in which local magistrates have clashed with federal agents over courthouse arrests of immigrants, noting the chilling effect such conflicts have on public confidence in the courts.
“The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our constitution and the rule of law,” Jackson warned, urging her colleagues to summon “raw courage” in the face of intimidation. “I urge you to keep going, keep doing what is right for our country, and I do believe that history will vindicate your service.”
Jackson’s speech comes as the Supreme Court, currently divided by a 6–3 conservative majority, prepares for a term laden with cases testing executive power, voting rights, and administrative authority. Her comments underscore growing concerns among jurists that sustained assaults on the judiciary could erode the separation of powers and weaken public trust in the legal system.
Source: The Guardian
