Chief Justice Roberts Slams Dangerous Political Attacks on Judges

Chief Justice John Roberts delivered a stark warning about the rising tide of dangerous political rhetoric targeting judges, emphasizing the real-world consequences of such attacks. Speaking at the Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit in Charlotte, North Carolina, Roberts highlighted how inflammatory language from politicians can escalate into threats and violence against the judiciary.

"When politicians vilify judges, they risk inciting harm," Roberts cautioned, noting that heated rhetoric often paints impartial judges as partisan players. He cited recent incidents, including serious threats and even an attempted assassination of a Supreme Court justice, as evidence of the dangers.

Without naming names, Roberts appeared to address comments from both sides of the political spectrum. He referenced past instances where prominent figures, including a former president and a Senate leader, criticized judges in ways that crossed ethical lines. "Judges are not political pawns," he said, underscoring that the judiciary’s role is to uphold the law, not to serve as a punching bag for political disputes.

Roberts also recalled a 2020 incident involving remarks about Trump-appointed justices, which he deemed threatening and inappropriate. More recently, he rebuked calls for a judge’s impeachment over a deportation policy ruling, emphasizing that judicial decisions should be challenged through appeals, not personal attacks. "The judiciary’s independence is non-negotiable," he asserted.

The Chief Justice’s remarks come as the Supreme Court navigates a politically charged landscape, with recent decisions limiting judges’ ability to block executive actions. Roberts urged politicians to temper their rhetoric, warning that unchecked attacks undermine not just judges but the rule of law itself.