WASHINGTON (AP) – Chief Justice John Roberts addressed an increasing concern regarding threats to judges during a gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, warning that harsh rhetoric from elected officials can incite violence. He emphasized that comments made by public figures could contribute to a climate where individuals feel justified in threatening judges who are merely performing their duties.
Without naming specific individuals, Roberts appeared to reference comments from former President Donald Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. He expressed that both sides of the political spectrum need to be aware of the potential consequences of their statements. “It becomes wrapped up in the political dispute that a judge who’s doing his or her job is part of the problem,” said Roberts. He went on to highlight that there have been serious threats, including violence and murder, directed at judges simply for executing their responsibilities, urging political figures to consider the ramifications of their words.
This speech was made at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judicial conference, coinciding with the Supreme Court’s issuance of its final decisions for the term, which included a significant ruling in favor of Trump that limits the ability of judges to implement court orders with nationwide implications that could block his policies. The conversation featuring Roberts and Judge Albert Diaz, the chief judge of the 4th Circuit, was broadcast by C-SPAN.
Roberts’ concerns about the rhetoric used by politicians are not new. In 2018, he publicly criticized Trump after the former president labeled a judge as an “Obama judge” following a ruling that rejected Trump's migrant asylum policy. Additionally, in March of the current year, Roberts dismissed calls for the impeachment of judges after Trump expressed a desire to remove a judge who ruled against his deportation strategies.
In a notable incident from 2020, Roberts responded to comments made by Schumer, who suggested that Trump-nominated Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch would “pay the price” for their votes in a pending abortion case. Roberts deemed Schumer’s remarks as inappropriate and threatening, to which Schumer later admitted that he should not have used such language. This incident underscored the gravity of words spoken by powerful political figures and the potential misinterpretation that could arise from them.
The gravity of threats against judges has become increasingly evident. In June 2022, as the Supreme Court prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade's protections for abortion, an armed man was arrested outside Kavanaugh’s home in suburban Washington. In April, Nicholas John Roske pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Kavanaugh, illustrating the very real danger arising from toxic political discourse.
Roberts’ remarks serve as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with power and the influence politicians wield in shaping public sentiment. The judiciary, as an impartial arbiter of the law, requires a certain level of respect and protection free from politically motivated threats. The chief justice’s call for more temperate language around judges reflects a growing concern for the safety and integrity of the judicial system in the face of political upheaval.
