Threats against judges are on the rise — with more than 500 reported in the last year alone. From executive branch officials to political commentators, attacks are increasingly aimed at delegitimizing the courts. This escalation threatens the very foundation of judicial independence and risks discouraging qualified candidates from serving on the bench.
The authors, leaders of the Association of American Law Schools, argue that lawyers have both a professional and moral duty to defend judges. They call on law schools, bar associations, and the legal profession as a whole to push back against intimidation, correct misinformation, and remind the public of the judiciary’s essential role in upholding the rule of law.
Courts handle tens of millions of cases each year, from constitutional disputes to family law and contracts. For the system to work, judges must be guided by integrity — not politics. Protecting judicial independence is non-negotiable, and lawyers must stand firm in their oath to support the Constitution.