At a judicial conference in North Carolina, Chief Justice John Roberts cautioned that hostile political rhetoric directed at judges can incite violence. While not naming specific individuals, Roberts acknowledged issuing statements in response to inflammatory remarks from both Republican and Democratic officials. His comments follow a rise in threats and attacks on judges, including several high-profile incidents since 2020.
Roberts emphasized that criticism of judicial decisions should be addressed legislatively—not through threats. He also reflected on the challenges of managing the Supreme Court’s workload, especially during a tense term that ended with several controversial rulings favoring the Trump administration. Despite sharp divisions, he underscored the justices’ efforts to understand one another and maintain judicial independence.