Roberts Warns of Threats to Federal Judges

Chief Justice John Roberts warned on Tuesday that personal attacks on federal judges pose a serious threat to the judiciary, urging an end to hostility that targets individuals rather than scrutinizing legal decisions. Speaking at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston, Roberts emphasized that while criticism of court opinions is a vital part of public discourse, it becomes dangerous when it shifts to personalities. "Their opinions are subject to criticism," he said. "But personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it's got to stop."

The remarks came amid a surge in threats against judges and followed recent public criticisms from President Donald Trump. On Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social condemning U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who had quashed subpoenas issued by the Justice Department to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump described Boasberg as a "wacky, nasty, crooked, and totally out of control judge" suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The ruling blocked efforts to obtain records related to the Fed's operations.

Trump's comments extended to the Supreme Court itself. Last week, the court struck down his administration's...