U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stern warning Saturday about the growing danger of political attacks on judges, pointing to escalating threats of violence linked to partisan rhetoric. Speaking at the Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit in Charlotte, North Carolina, Roberts addressed a gathering of judges and legal professionals, stressing the real-world consequences of inflammatory statements.
“When a judge doing their job becomes entangled in political disputes, that judge is wrongly viewed as part of the problem,” Roberts said. “And the danger, of course, is somebody might pick up on that.” He warned that serious threats of violence and even murder have emerged as a result.
The Chief Justice called on political leaders from both parties to exercise restraint and responsibility, cautioning them to consider how their words may incite real-world harm. His remarks recalled past incidents, including a 2020 speech by Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer targeting Trump-appointed Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch over an abortion case. Schumer later walked back the remarks, saying they were aimed at Republicans.
Roberts also pushed back earlier this year against calls by President Donald Trump to impeach a federal judge who blocked deportations of suspected gang members. Roberts defended judicial independence, stating that disagreement with rulings does not justify impeachment.
Meanwhile, Trump applauded the Supreme Court’s recent decision limiting nationwide injunctions by federal district judges, which he said have been weaponized to stall his policy agenda. The Court’s ruling was a significant legal victory for Trump, who emphasized the ruling’s alignment with voters’ mandates.
Roberts has repeatedly supported protective measures for judges, affirming in 2022 the importance of judicial security in an increasingly volatile political climate.
